Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina went viral for a “leak” of a series of profanity-filled messages to President Donald Trump, accusing the administration of failing and insisting he would never tolerate the president’s political threats. While many critics were skeptical of Tillis’ motivations, some have pointed out that the North Carolina Senator isn’t running for re-election and is also poised to publish a book containing all of his interactions within the Trump administration.
The private texts, obtained by Politico and reported on October 2, 2026, are expected to appear in Tillis’ upcoming memoir, How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents, scheduled for release next week. Meanwhile, the messages date as far back as May 22, when Tillis made his frustration clear, writing, “I still want to help but I don’t take this [expletive] from anyone, including you Mr. President.” He then added, “I care if you fail and right now we are failing.”
The message came as Trump publicly attacked Tillis on Truth Social, calling him a “nitpicker” who was supposedly always fighting against the Republican Party. Tillis followed up with another message on June 6, pushing back against the suggestion that Trump had forced him out of the Senate through threats of a primary challenge.
“If you had ever threatened me directly with a primary, I would have immediately told you to [expletive] yourself, and I would have announced my retirement immediately,” Tillis wrote, adding that Trump should save his “threats and head games for cowards and fools.”
The exchange comes amid a long-running feud between the two Republicans. Tillis announced in June 2025 that he would not seek reelection after opposing Trump’s sweeping “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Trump subsequently threatened to back primary challengers against him.
Critics find it hard to side with Tillis
Since the 2025 announcement, Tillis has increasingly criticized the administration, including its immigration crackdown, its handling of the war in Iran, and its leadership appointments. His disagreements with Trump have also extended to former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other administration allies.
However, the newly publicized texts have prompted skepticism online, with some commenters questioning whether Tillis’ outspoken criticism is genuine or an attempt to rehabilitate his reputation before his retirement.
One Reddit user argued that the messages were a calculated move, writing that politicians were trying to distance themselves from Trump and suggest they had never supported his agenda. Another commenter pointed out that Tillis was already leaving office, adding, “He’s not running for reelection.”
Others were more dismissive. “It’s performative grandstanding,” one user wrote, accusing Tillis of waiting until his political career was ending to challenge the president openly. Another suggested the memoir was part of the motivation, commenting, “There’s always a grift.”
Some also questioned the substance of Thom Tillis’ criticism. One commenter highlighted his declaration that he cared if Trump failed, arguing that even while cursing at the president, the senator was still expressing loyalty to him. Regardless, with his Senate term ending in January 2027, Tillis now appears ready to document his disagreements with Trump and the president’s inner circle in his forthcoming book.
