Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is sharing details of his deteriorating relationship with former President Donald Trump, including expletive-filled text messages sent earlier this year, in his forthcoming book "How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents." The book, set to be released next week, outlines a timeline of their estrangement.
In a text message dated May 22, Tillis wrote to Trump, "I still want to help but I don’t take this bullshit from anyone, including you Mr. President. Save that shit for the cowards who don’t care if you fail. I care if you fail and right now we are failing." This message appeared to be a response to Trump's public criticisms of Tillis on Truth Social that same day, where he called the senator "weak and ineffective" and a "Nitpicker."
Another message, dated June 6, seemingly addresses Trump's characterization of Tillis as a "loser" and "just an angry man" in an interview with reporters. Tillis wrote, "As I have said before, you NEVER threatened me with a primary challenge. I get that you may have me confused with so many Republicans that you have threatened in the past, but NEVER me. If you had ever threatened me directly with a primary, I would have immediately told you to fuck yourself, and I would have announced my retirement immediately. Save those threats and head games for cowards and fools."
Tillis had previously voiced opposition to Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general in May, stating he would not support the nomination unless Blanche publicly denounced the pro-Trump mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Tillis told Spectrum News at the time, "I don’t think that people have to go too far to see that anybody who equivocates and supported the thugs that harmed police officers will never get my vote in committee or on the floor." However, Blanche later secured Tillis's support in August after issuing an order to rescind Trump's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund.
Tillis, along with Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), has become one of the more vocal Republican critics of the Trump administration in recent months. This increased outspokenness is likely amplified by Tillis's decision to retire at the end of his term in January. Cornyn, who had secured Trump's endorsement, lost his Texas Republican Senate primary in May to Ken Paxton.
Publishers describe "How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents" as an unfiltered account of Tillis's time in Washington, D.C., and his perspective on those within the Republican party and the MAGA movement.