Thom Tillis Reveals Profane Private Texts to Donald Trump

Retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina revealed in his forthcoming memoir, "How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents," that he sent a series of profane private text messages to President Donald Trump during the summer of 2026. The messages, some of which were obtained by Politico, show Tillis telling the president, "I don’t take this bullsh*t from anyone, including you Mr. President," following a Truth Social post in which Trump called the senator "weak and ineffective," a "Nitpicker," and a "QUITTER."

In a June 6 text, Tillis denied that Trump had ever threatened him with a primary challenge, stating that had such a threat occurred, he would have told the president to "f*** yourself" and retired immediately. The relationship between the two deteriorated over several key issues, including a sweeping tax-and-spending bill in June 2025, broad tariff policies, and the nomination of Todd Blanche to a senior Justice Department position, which Tillis and Senator John Cornyn initially blocked.

Trump responded to the friction by labeling Tillis a "talker and complainer, NOT A DOER!" and celebrating the senator's decision not to seek reelection. Despite the public and private fallout, Tillis has endorsed Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley to succeed him in North Carolina.