'Cowards and fools': Tillis unloads on Trump in profane private message

Systemic Error Podcast · Oct 3, 2026 · 4m

What happened

AlterNet reports that retiring North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis privately told President Donald Trump on June 6 that, had Trump directly threatened him with a primary challenge, Tillis would have immediately told him to “f—— yourself” and announced his retirement. Tillis added that Trump should reserve such “threats and head games” for “cowards and fools.”

The message disputed Trump’s public claim that he had driven Tillis from office. Tillis announced in June 2025 that he would not seek another term after opposing Trump’s tax and spending bill over its Medicaid…