Understand
Retiring Senator Thom Tillis Claims Dozens of GOP Senators Privately Disagree with Trump
Overview
In his new book, How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents, retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis writes that at least 30 GOP senators have privately expressed reservations about Donald Trump's actions. Commentator Chris Cillizza examines this claim, discussing why most Republican lawmakers remain silent out of fear of political retaliation and how Trump's influence shapes the party.
Key points
- Retiring GOP Senator Thom Tillis writes in his new book that at least 30 Republican senators have privately expressed reservations about Donald Trump's actions.
- Tillis states that senators avoid speaking out publicly because they fear facing targeted primary challenges from Trump.
- Following the 2020 election, journalist Carl Bernstein also published a list of 21 Republican senators who privately expressed contempt for Trump.
- Cillizza notes that elected officials often prioritize political survival and winning re-election over publicly opposing a vengeful party leader.