President Trump’s signature legislation (so far, at least), the One Big Beautiful Bill, has cleared a major hurdle in the Senate. It’s far from a done deal yet, but it’s one long step closer.
This is, of course, no thanks to Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), who voted against the bill, drawing the ire of President Trump, who promptly vowed to meet with any of the senator’s primary challengers. Maybe because of that, on Sunday, Senator Tillis announced he will not seek re-election in 2026.
Sen. Thom Tillis won’t run for re-election in 2026, the North Carolina Republican announced Sunday.
Why it matters: Tillis faced a brutal fight to keep his seat, both in the general election and with the potential of Trump-backed primary challengers.
- “It’s not a hard choice, and I will not be seeking re-election,” Tillis said in a statement announcing his plans.
- He was first elected to the Senate in 2014.
Look, everyone has their priorities and principles, but Senator Tillis (and a few others) should also know that their stands on principle could be costly. But the curious bit is why they would vote against even beginning debate on the bill. One would think, if Senator Tillis (and those few others) have serious issues with the bill, they would want it brought into the open, debated, and discussed, when and where they could make their cases.
Instead, he voted to shut it down before that could happen.
Zoom in: Tillis voted against starting debate Saturday night on the “big, beautiful bill,” and told lawmakers he’d also oppose the final version over its cuts to Medicaid.
- In response, President Trump said he’d meet with Tillis’s challengers and accused the North Carolinian of grandstanding.
The One Big Beautiful Bill cleared that hurdle regardless. Even the Great Land’s own Princess Lisa Murkowski, no friend of President Trump, agreed that the bill should move to the next step.
See Also: Trump Praises Republicans Who Helped Get the One Big, Beautiful Bill Over the Finish Line
Trump Comes Out Swinging Against BBB Opponent Thom Tillis, Meanwhile Murkowski Votes to Advance
As RedState’s own Bob Hoge pointed out Saturday evening on the heels of the vote, President Trump focused his attention on Senator Tillis after the tally was taken.
Donald J. Trump Truth Social 06.28.25 09:48 PM EST
Looks like Senator Thom Tillis, as usual, wants to tell the Nation that he’s giving them a 68% Tax Increase, as opposed to the Biggest Tax Cut in American History! At the same time, he is unable to understand the importance of a…
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) June 29, 2025
The post is long (click on it to read it in full), but here are some takeaways:
Looks like Senator Thom Tillis, as usual, wants to tell the Nation that he’s giving them a 68% Tax Increase, as opposed to the Biggest Tax Cut in American History! …
America wants Reduced Taxes, including NO TAX ON TIPS, NO TAX ON OVERTIME, AND NO TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY, Interest Deductions on Cars, Border Security, a Strong Military, and a Bill which is GREAT for our Farmers, Manufacturers and, Employment, in general. Thom Tillis is making a BIG MISTAKE for America, and the Wonderful People of North Carolina!
The president followed up by commenting that maybe it’s time for Tillis to face a primary challenge.
Thus, a political career ends.
I’ve pointed out on several occasions the interesting phenomenon wherein a political career can end in a moment. Sometimes it’s fair, and sometimes it’s not, but it happens. Examples include Her Imperial Majesty Hillary I’s “basket of deplorables” crack, Mike Dukakis’s cringe-inducing tank ride, and, of course, the famous “Dean Scream” from the 2004 Democratic primary. Now we can add Tom Tillis’s “no” vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill to the list.
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