Senator Thom Tillis, at 66, is leaving the Senate with a sharp critique of advisors surrounding President Trump. In his book, “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents,” Tillis describes the various “WTF moments” he experienced during the second Trump administration. He expresses concerns about the influence of the executive branch on the nation’s checks and balances.
Tillis argues that the U.S. risks becoming a “dictator king” if the Senate doesn’t act as a co-equal branch of government. Executives from recent White Houses have shown a desire to govern via executive orders, undermining Congress’s role. This was true during Biden and Obama’s presidencies as well.
Having been elected in 2014, Tillis identifies as a conservative, supporting the Second Amendment and fiscal restraint. His career included conflicts with the Trump administration, notably opposing Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he felt harmed low-income North Carolinians. Trump responded by criticizing Tillis and threatening a primary challenge, which led to Tillis’s decision to retire.
“I respect the president. I still feel like we have an odd relationship, where I’ve clearly made him angry,”Tillis said.
Tillis’s book includes detailed private texts with Trump about his retirement, marking a low point in their relationship. Though Tillis supported Trump’s cabinet nominations initially, he now regrets backing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Tillis critiques members of Trump’s cabinet like Kristi Noem, who was fired after Tillis criticized her handling of certain events.
Tillis’s tenure involved criticizing several Trump advisors, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Stephen Miller, for not adequately advising the president.
The senator also discussed his views on the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. He called the events “despicable” but chose not to convict Trump during his second impeachment, viewing the process as political.
Looking ahead to the midterm elections, Tillis predicts an “electoral bloodbath” for Republicans, as affordability issues dominate. He notes that many Republican senators privately disagree with Trump’s actions but fear publicly opposing him due to potential political repercussions.
According to Tillis, about 30 Republican senators have expressed concerns regarding Trump’s decisions, but their objections remain private due to fear of being politically targeted.