McConnell is trying to raise uncertainty about Trump.
In a political shockwave that’s rattling Capitol Hill, former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is pointing fingers at President Trump after Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) suddenly announced he will not seek re-election—sparking fears of a major Republican loss in a key battleground state.
McConnell, known for his calculated moves, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Tillis was “one of the most effective and collegial members” of the Senate, calling his exit a “big setback” for the Republican Conference. The timing is no coincidence.
Just days earlier, President Trump publicly slammed Tillis for opposing the One Big Beautiful Bill—Trump’s bold new legislative package that restores fiscal responsibility, slashes wasteful spending, imposes work requirements for Medicaid recipients, and puts America First.
Tillis’s opposition to the bill—which includes long-overdue reforms to bloated entitlement programs—sparked immediate backlash from Trump and conservative voters alike. Trump blasted the North Carolina senator for threatening to derail the bill and for embracing green energy policies that benefit China, not American workers.
“He loves windmills from China and doesn’t care about North Carolina’s proud tobacco industry,” Trump posted. “A BIG MISTAKE for America.”
Tillis responded with a cryptic message to Trump: “Ack Mr. President… Start thinking about my replacement.”
Now, election experts are warning that the GOP faces an uphill battle in North Carolina. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has officially moved the state’s Senate race from “Lean Republican” to a “Toss-Up,” a dangerous shift in a critical election year.
Sean Trende, senior elections analyst at RealClearPolitics, wrote that Tillis’s sudden departure makes it “even harder for Republicans to hold the seat”—opening the door for Democrat operatives and out-of-state liberal donors to pour millions into the race.
But President Trump is already looking ahead. “We need a strong, unapologetic America First candidate who will fight for North Carolina’s values,” Trump said. “Someone who puts working families and American jobs first—not globalist windfarms or government handouts.”
As the 2026 Senate map tightens, one thing is certain: President Trump’s influence over the future of the Republican Party—and the nation—has never been stronger.