Fact Check: "Trump called Tillis's decision 'Great News!' for Republicans."
What We Know
On June 29, 2025, Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced that he would not seek reelection. This decision came shortly after he opposed President Donald Trump's significant tax and immigration bill, which included cuts to Medicaid that Tillis believed would negatively impact his constituents. Following this announcement, Trump took to Truth Social to express his approval, stating that Tillis's decision was "Great News!" for Republicans (source-1, source-2, source-3). Trump's post indicated that he viewed Tillis's retirement as an opportunity to find a candidate who would better align with his political agenda and represent the interests of North Carolinians (source-3).
Analysis
The claim that Trump called Tillis's decision "Great News!" is supported by multiple credible sources. Reuters, The Washington Post, and AP News all report that Trump celebrated Tillis's announcement in a Truth Social post, explicitly using the phrase "Great News!" (source-1, source-2, source-3). These outlets are reputable and provide reliable reporting on political events, making their accounts trustworthy.
The context of Tillis's decision is also crucial. His opposition to Trump's bill had put him at risk of a primary challenge, as Trump had previously threatened to support a candidate against him (source-2, source-5). This backdrop adds weight to Trump's reaction, as it reflects the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party regarding loyalty to Trump's policies.
Moreover, Trump's characterization of Tillis's retirement as "Great News!" aligns with his history of supporting candidates who adhere closely to his agenda, suggesting that he sees this as a strategic advantage for the Republican Party moving forward (source-8).
Overall, the evidence from multiple sources confirms that Trump did indeed refer to Tillis's decision as "Great News!" and provides a clear understanding of the implications of this statement within the broader political landscape.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Trump called Tillis's decision "Great News!" for Republicans is accurate. Multiple reputable sources confirm that Trump made this statement following Tillis's announcement not to seek reelection, indicating his approval and the potential for a shift in Republican representation in North Carolina.
Sources
- Following Trump attacks, Republican Senator Tillis bows out of reelection. Reuters
- Thom Tillis won’t seek reelection after opposing Trump’s bill. The Washington Post
- North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis won’t run in 2026 after opposing Trump’s bill. AP News
- Qui est Massad Boulos, ce libanais conseiller de TRUMP. JForum
- Trump celebrates Tillis' retirement after bill opposition vote. Fox News
- Pourquoi la fureur de Trump et Vance contre Zelensky. JForum
- Pourquoi ce chapeau de Melania Trump. JForum
- Donald Trump celebrates Sen. Thom Tillis's decision to retire. The Hill
