Fact Check: "Trump called Tillis's decision not to seek reelection a 'big mistake.'"
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 was one of only two Republican senators to vote against advancing President Donald Trump’s domestic policy bill, which included significant cuts to Medicaid. In response to Tillis's vote, Trump publicly criticized him, stating that Tillis was "making a BIG MISTAKE" and indicated that he would support potential primary challengers against him (CNN, NBC News).
Tillis himself confirmed that he had informed Trump of his decision not to run for reelection the night before his announcement. He remarked that he had assumed they had reached a mutual understanding regarding his political future (NBC News, The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that Trump called Tillis's decision a "big mistake" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Trump's comments were made on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he explicitly stated, "Thom Tillis is making a BIG MISTAKE for America, and the Wonderful People of North Carolina!" (NBC News, ABC News). This direct quote from Trump confirms the accuracy of the claim.
The sources reporting on this incident, including CNN, NBC News, and The Guardian, are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic standards. They provide detailed accounts of the events leading up to Tillis's announcement and Trump's reaction, ensuring that the information is both reliable and contextually rich. The consistency across these reports adds to their credibility.
However, it is important to note that while Trump’s comments reflect his personal opinion and political strategy, they also illustrate the contentious relationship between him and some members of the Republican Party who have diverged from his agenda. Tillis's decision not to seek reelection was framed as a personal choice to prioritize family over political ambition, but Trump's reaction indicates the potential political ramifications of dissent within the party (The Guardian).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Trump called Tillis's decision not to seek reelection a "big mistake" is accurate. Trump's statement was clearly articulated in his social media post, and multiple reliable news sources corroborate this assertion. The context surrounding Tillis's announcement and Trump's reaction highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party, particularly regarding loyalty to Trump's policies.
