5 things the Senate GOP leader said — and didn't say – about Trump's latest controversies
During a wide‑ranging CNN interview Wednesday with host Dana Bash, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑S.D.) struck a cautious tone on controversial topics, including a potential Trump 2028 run as well as media coercion, health policy and expiring health insurance subsidies.
Here are five things Thune said — and didn’t say — on key issues.
1. Trump’s 2028 ambition — constitutional guardrail in focus
On whether President Donald Trump should run for a third term, Thune leaned on the Constitution: “Well, I think the Constitution speaks to that issue, and I think it's pretty plain.”
When Bash pressed, “So, no Trump 2028?” Thune responded:
“Well, ah, I know Lindsey [Graham] has said that before, and um, I think he generally expects a pretty lighthearted response when he says it.”
He declined to flatly rule it out politically, but anchored his view in legal constraint.
2. Media coercion & the FCC — free speech over intervention
While commenting on the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) apparent attempt to silence late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, Thune declared: “I am a big believer in the First Amendment and free speech,” and warned:
“Coercive use of government shouldn't be something that is used.”
However, when pressed on whether ABC or the FCC were in the wrong, the South Dakota Republican didn't say they made a mistake by targeting Kimmel over his comments.
“They were making statements … This isn’t an area where the FCC ought to be wandering into."
3. Tylenol — science over certainty
Responding to Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claim that the use of acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) during pregnancy may be linked to autism in children, Thune acknowledged that medical experts have disputed that idea,
“I think science ought to guide these discussions and our decision‑making around our health. There are studies out there that they reference, but I think there are an awful lot of people in the medical community who come to a different conclusion about Tylenol," Thune said.
He positioned policy as needing to rest on evolving evidence rather than rigid assertions.
4. Expiring health insurance assistance — stick to process
Bash asked about assistance programs helping people afford health coverage that expire at year’s end. Thune replied:
“It ought to be done in regular order. This is not the time or place to do this.”
He indicated that even in the face of a looming deadline, he prefers the standard legislative path rather than special fixes.
5- Political violence
Thune also addressed Wednesday's shooting at a Dallas ICE facility, which left two detainees dead and a third critically wounded, before the gunman died by suicide.
He characterized it as: “Another example of tragic loss of life, and that is something that, as we've observed lately in multiple circumstances, every American ought to be concerned about, and every American, no matter what your political views are, ought to be trying to prevent. And that's to keep our discourse civil and discuss these issues in a way that's respectful but doesn't resort to political violence.”
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