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◆ Mixed look for TillisBudget / Spending

Thom Tillis Smacks Back at Trump: I'll 'Have a Lot of Fun'

Tillis defended his criticism of Trump’s policies in a tweet.

Thom Tillis Smacks Back at Trump: I'll 'Have a Lot of Fun'
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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
Mediaite
May 22, 2026
tl;dr

Sen. Thom Tillis answered President Donald Trump’s criticism with a tweet defending his objections to the administration’s policies, including a proposed fund that could compensate people convicted of attacking police. The public dispute highlights Tillis’s increasingly outspoken stance as he approaches his final months in office.

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Thom Tillis R · NC · SEN
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Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

Senator who criticized the fund and answered Trump's attack

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who attacked Tillis and is at the center of the dispute over the fund

Trump's version of this story ↗
Pete Hegseth
R · Secretary of Defense

Defense secretary named in Tillis’s tweet

Mitch McConnell
R · KY · SEN

Senator who criticized the proposed fund

Howard Lutnick
R · Secretary of Commerce

Commerce secretary named in Tillis’s tweet

Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general and Senate candidate whom Trump endorsed

Elizabeth Warren
D · MA · SEN

Senator mentioned in Tillis’s criticism of a housing proposal

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Senator running in the Texas primary runoff

ALSO MENTIONED  Bill Pulte, Trump adviser named in Tillis’s tweet; Ed Martin, Trump adviser named in Tillis’s tweet; Vladimir Putin, Russian leader referenced in Tillis’s criticism of U.S. policy

Part of a bigger story

5 OUTLETS
Thom Tillis Responds to Trump, Criticizes Proposed Justice Department Fund

Thom Tillis responded publicly to President Donald Trump’s criticism, using a social-media post to fault the president’s policies. Center outlets portray the exchange as Tillis forcefully defending his policy objections, including opposition to the proposed fund. Right-leaning outlets also emphasize his pushback, placing it amid tensions between Trump and Senate Republicans ahead of the midterms.

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