Fact Check: Thom Tillis Quits Senate Race After Trump Attacks Him
What We Know
On June 29, 2025, Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced that he will not seek reelection in 2026. This decision came shortly after he faced significant criticism from former President Donald Trump for his opposition to a GOP tax and spending bill, which Tillis deemed harmful to his constituents due to its proposed cuts to healthcare programs. Trump publicly labeled Tillis as "a talker and complainer, NOT A DOER!" and suggested that he would support primary challengers against him (NPR, Reuters, AP News).
In his statement, Tillis expressed frustration with the divisive political climate in Washington and indicated that he preferred to spend time with his family rather than engage in what he described as "political theatre" (NPR, AP News). His decision is seen as a significant shift in the political landscape of North Carolina, a state that has been competitive in recent elections (Reuters).
Analysis
The claim that Thom Tillis quit the Senate race following Trump's attacks is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Each source confirms that Tillis's announcement came directly after Trump's public criticism, linking the two events closely. For instance, NPR reported that Tillis was one of only two Senate Republicans to oppose the GOP's tax bill, which led to Trump's derogatory comments about him (NPR).
Reuters and AP News also corroborate this timeline, noting that Tillis's decision to not seek reelection was influenced by the backlash he received from Trump (Reuters, AP News).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. They provide detailed context about Tillis's political stance and the implications of his decision for the upcoming election cycle.
Conclusion
The claim that Thom Tillis quit the Senate race after Trump attacked him is True. The evidence clearly indicates that Tillis's announcement was a direct response to Trump's criticism, which significantly impacted his decision to withdraw from the race. This conclusion is supported by multiple credible news sources that report on the events surrounding Tillis's announcement.
