'Worst nightmare': GOP senators call Trump's treatment of colleague 'totally unnecessary'

Before President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" came up for a full vote in the U.S. Senate, he threatened to support aggressive primary challenges against any GOP senator who voted against it — including conservative Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina). But Tillis decided not to seek reelection, and he was among the three Republican senators who voted "no." The other two were Kentucky's Rand Paul and Maine's Susan Collins.

On the Senate floor, Tillis candidly laid out some reasons for being a firm "no" on Trump's megabill — including its draconian Medicaid cuts.

In an article published on July 8, The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports that some GOP senators "aren't happy" about the way Trump "treated" Tillis — even if they are afraid to say so publicly.

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A GOP senator, interviewed on condition of anonymity, believes that Trump's attacks on Tillis served no useful purpose.

The senator told The Hill, "I do think it was totally unnecessary. I just don't think it really achieves anything good to come after somebody just because they disagree with you."

Democratic strategists reportedly believe that their chances of flipping Tillis' seat increased when he decided against seeking reelection — especially if former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a centrist Democrat, enters the race and becomes the nominee.

A Republican strategist, interviewed on condition of anonymity, fears that Tillis' seat may go Democratic in 2026 — as North Carolina is very much a swing state.

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The strategist told The Hill, "He is a great fit for his state and was looking out for the best interests of North Carolina, so to see him pushed aside like that is unfortunate. And frankly, he deserves better than that. If you're a Republican senator in a vulnerable position or with a potential primary challenge — or even if you don’t have a primary challenge — that's your worst nightmare politically: to have President Trump come after you."

The strategist added, "It's another reminder of the consequences that come to bear if you cross the president."

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Read Alexander Bolton's full article for The Hill at this link.