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◆ Mixed look for TrumpVoting Rights

Frustrated Thune tells Trump to 'get on the phone and get the votes' after Leavitt swipes at Senate over voter ID

Trump pressed the Senate to advance the voter ID bill and criticized the chamber’s handling of it.

Frustrated Thune tells Trump to 'get on the phone and get the votes' after Leavitt swipes at Senate over voter ID
Image · The Independent

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Outlet credibilityThe Independent77/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 2, 2026
tl;dr

Senate Majority Leader John Thune pushed back after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt urged the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act, telling the White House to help secure the votes. The exchange highlights divisions among Republicans over the bill and the Senate’s prospects for advancing it.

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Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President urging the Senate to advance the voter ID bill

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate Majority Leader responding to White House pressure over the voter ID bill

Thune's version of this story ↗
Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

Speaker of the House praised by Trump

Mike Collins
R · GA-10

Figure Trump was campaigning for in a Georgia Senate race

Thom Tillis
R · NC · SEN

Senator opposing the bill and taking responsibility for its lack of progress

White House press secretary criticizing the Senate’s pace on the bill

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Senator saying Thune could not change the bill’s lack of votes

Part of a bigger story

15 OUTLETS
Trump Urges Senate Republicans to Pass SAVE America Act

Outlets across the spectrum report that Trump pressed Senate Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, including by urging them to eliminate the filibuster or remain in session. They also report that Thune resisted and said the votes were lacking. Left-leaning outlets portray Trump's pressure as provoking Republican resistance, with one article also framing the bill as a voting-rights issue. Center outlets focus on the Trump-Thune dispute over votes, the filibuster and Senate scheduling. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Trump's push for action before recess and Thune's response, sometimes focusing on whether Thune should remain leader.

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