North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis has announced he will not seek reelection in 2026, citing frustration with what he describes as poor advice from unelected White House advisers influencing President Donald Trump’s policy decisions. The Republican senator’s departure comes amid escalating tensions with Trump over the administration’s signature legislative package.
Tillis expressed concern about Trump’s legacy during a Wednesday, July 16, interview with Charlotte’s WBT News Talk, stating: “Frankly, on the current path, with some of the advice he’s getting from unelecteds in the White House, I’m concerned that he’s not going to have much of a legacy if we don’t start standing up to them, and standing up to what I consider to be bad advice.”
The senator’s criticism centers on Trump’s so-called Big Beautiful Bill, which Tillis opposed due to its cuts to Medicaid programs. According to Tillis, North Carolina will be forced to remove 663,000 people from Medicaid coverage, a move he believes will damage both Trump and the entire Republican Party once voters experience the effects.
Tillis indicated to Semafor on Tuesday that Trump’s decision to criticize him publicly on social media after he privately shared his concerns about the bill was a turning point. The senator described feeling finished with what he called amateur advisers influencing the president’s decisions, particularly when Trump posted criticism instead of engaging in substantive policy discussions.
The Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by a narrow 51–50 vote on July 1, 2025, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. Senator Tillis was one of just three Republicans—alongside Susan Collins and Rand Paul—who voted against the bill, citing concerns over Medicaid cuts and its impact on his state.
Trump responded to Tillis’ opposition by attacking him on Truth Social, indicating plans to meet with potential primary challengers for the senator’s seat. The president wrote that Tillis was making a big mistake for America and the people of North Carolina.
The 940-page bill includes tax cuts, increased immigration enforcement funding, and Medicaid reductions, among other provisions. Congressional Budget Office analysis published on June 29, 2025, found the legislation could increase national debt by $3.3 trillion over ten years and lead to 11.8 million people losing health insurance by 2034.
Tillis explained his retirement decision stems from concerns about the current political environment in Washington. He indicated that leaders willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise, and independent thinking have become increasingly rare. The senator reflected that some bipartisan initiatives had caused him trouble with his own party, but he would not change any of those decisions.
The senator also criticized Trump’s tariffs as a failure and described the president as prone to mirroring others’ behaviors. Tillis suggested that if Trump wants to antagonize him, he is prepared to respond in kind, indicating he would not behave as diplomatically as former Senator Mitt Romney did when facing similar criticism.
With Tillis’ seat opening in 2026, several potential Republican candidates have emerged. Speculation includes Representative Richard Hudson, former Representative Patrick McHenry, Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump, RNC Chair Michael Whatley, and Representative Pat Harrigan.
A Victory Insights poll from November 2024 showed Lara Trump leading Tillis 65 percent to 11 percent in a hypothetical primary matchup, suggesting strong Trump family support among Republican voters in North Carolina.
Tillis has faced criticism from some quarters for what opponents describe as inconsistent positions on Trump-related issues. His office has received threatening calls related to his political stances, with audio of such calls released in March 2025, highlighting the intense political pressures facing senators who oppose certain Trump initiatives.
The senator’s announcement comes as Republicans nationwide grapple with internal divisions over Trump’s legislative agenda. Multiple Republican senators who voted for the bill have expressed reservations, with some calling the process rushed and inadequate for addressing the nation’s fiscal challenges.
