Thom Tillis to Leave Senate After Clash with Trump Over Medicaid Cuts
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has announced that he will leave Congress following a public clash with former President Donald Trump over a controversial spending bill.
Tillis, who has served in the Senate since 2015 and held public office in North Carolina since 2007, made the announcement in a statement on Sunday. He said he was proud of his record, especially his work on bipartisan efforts.
“Sometimes those bipartisan initiatives got me in trouble with my own party, but I wouldn’t have changed a single one,” he wrote.
Tillis expressed concern that lawmakers who support bipartisanship and independent thinking have become rare in Washington.
“Too many elected officials are motivated by pure raw politics,” he said. “They really don’t give a damn about the people they promised to represent.”
Clash Over Trump’s Spending Bill
Tillis was one of two Republican senators who voted against advancing Trump’s new spending and tax bill on Saturday. The legislation includes deep cuts to Medicaid, a program that supports millions of elderly, disabled, and low-income Americans.
Tillis said the bill would be “devastating” for North Carolina, noting that it could cost the state billions in lost funding. He criticized proposed changes that would make it harder for adults to qualify for Medicaid and reduce taxes collected from medical providers — funds that help support the program.
“I did my homework on behalf of North Carolinians,” he said. “I cannot support this bill in its current form.”
Despite Tillis’ opposition, a final Senate vote is expected soon. The bill narrowly passed the House last month.
Trump Strikes Back
On Sunday, Trump attacked Tillis, calling him “a talker and complainer.” He also threatened to back another candidate in next year’s Republican primary. There is growing speculation that Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump — a North Carolina native — might run for Tillis’ seat, though she has not commented.
Trump has also criticized other lawmakers who did not support the bill. He recently called Congressman Thomas Massie a “loser” for voting “no” on several proposals.
Meanwhile, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the proposed Medicaid changes could result in nearly 12 million Americans losing their health coverage.
Tillis’ departure adds to the growing divide within the Republican Party as it heads into the 2026 midterm elections.
