Trump blasts 'quitter' Tillis, heralds departure of RINOS 'screwing' GOP

President Donald Trump on Friday had harsh words for Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., calling him a "RINO" and saying that the departure of him and is "RINO friends" would improve the party.

Tillis, who first won election in 2014, has long been a comparative moderate and regularly faced backlash for his hesitance to back Trump agenda items in the first term. He opted against seeking reelection in 2026 and has been a vocal critic of the administration, especially over Trump's Jan. 6 pardons.

"People don’t remember that Thom Tillis, the weak and ineffective Senator from the Great State of North Carolina, a State I won, including primaries, 6 consecutive times, didn’t have the courage to fight it out in the Senate, remain in place, and run again for office, a thing he desperately wanted to do," Trump posted on Truth Social.

"The media said how brave he was to take me on, but he wasn’t brave, he was just the opposite - HE WAS A QUITTER!" he added. "Now he can have all the fun he wants for a few months, with some of his RINO friends, screwing the Republican Party. In the end it will only get bigger, and better, and stronger, than ever before!!!"

Trump's remarks come as Senate moderates increasingly refuse to help advance Trump legislative agenda items. Trump, this week, endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, prompting backlash from upper chamber lawmakers.

He also supported Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., against Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who was eliminated in the primary. Combined with a series of retirements, the turnover is expected to see many of the most senior, old guard GOP leaders leave the Senate come 2027.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.