Donald Trump often makes harsh attacks on his political opponents, including those in his own party. However, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) had no problem responding directly to the president, confidently tweeting that he plans to “have a lot of fun” in the final months of Trump’s presidency.
Tillis has been more vocal during Trump’s second term, especially after he announced he wouldn’t be running for re-election to the Senate seat he has held since 2014.
Before Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in a tough Texas Senate primary runoff, Tillis criticized Trump for backing away from an earlier plan to support Cornyn, calling it a mistake and lamenting that Republicans were allowing this internal election fight to continue as “lazy and unstrategic.”
Recently, Trump and Tillis have clashed over the president’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which the Department of Justice announced it would set up to settle a lawsuit filed by Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization against the IRS for leaking their tax returns.
This move has sparked significant controversy for several reasons and has been labeled a “slush fund” by critics, including some Republicans like Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who described it as “utterly stupid, morally wrong.”
The main concerns about the fund include Trump’s dual role as both the plaintiff in his lawsuit and the head of the government agencies involved, how the fund plans to distribute money without congressional approval, and that January 6 rioters pardoned by Trump are seeking a share of the funds, including those who attacked police officers.
Tillis criticized the “slush fund,” calling it “stupid on stilts” in an interview with a local reporter, saying it was “absurd” that the fund could potentially use taxpayer money to compensate someone who assaulted a police officer, admitted guilt, was convicted, pardoned, and now might receive money for that.
“The American people are going to reject this outright,” Tillis stated.
“When you take money from me to give to a cause I strongly oppose, that’s tyranny, and that’s what this fund represents.”
He repeated his “stupid on stilts” comment on CNN Thursday.
“These individuals don’t deserve any compensation.
Many of them should be in prison,” he added, noting that moving forward with this fund could be harmful to Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.
“There’s nothing positive that can come from this before November,” Tillis remarked.
“This is bad policy, bad timing, and bad politics.”
Unsurprisingly, Trump was upset by Tillis’ remarks and responded on Truth Social Friday morning, calling the senator “weak and ineffective,” labeling him a “QUITTER” who “lacked the courage” to run for re-election, and accusing him of being a “Nitpicker” for “constantly opposing the Republican Party and ME, mainly on unimportant issues.”
“Now he can enjoy his time for a few months with some of his RINO friends, messing with the Republican Party,” Trump concluded.
“In the end, it will only grow bigger, better, and stronger than ever!!!”
Tillis responded a few hours later with his own tweet, outlining some of his objections to Trump’s policies based on advice from his own advisors.
“Mr. President, completely agree about having a lot of fun over these next seven months,” wrote Tillis, continuing with his list of “stupid stuff” Trump was supporting against advice:
But nitpicking? Some of your advisors are telling you to support things like:
– Using billions of taxpayer dollars to compensate convicted felons and thugs who attacked police. (Ed Martin)
– Pushing 50-year mortgages and Elizabeth Warren’s housing bill over sound conservative housing policy. (Bill Pulte)
– Using taxpayer money to transform publicly traded companies into state-owned enterprises. (Howard Lutnick)
– Firing our very best generals and not holding Putin accountable for his systematic kidnapping, rape, torture, and murder of Ukrainian civilians. (Pete Hegseth)If opposing these things makes me a RINO, then I gladly accept that nickname.
We need Republicans to do well in November, but the stupid stuff is killing our chances!
—
Mr. President, completely agree about having a lot of fun over these next seven months.
— Senator Thom Tillis (@SenThomTillis) May 22, 2026
But nitpicking? Some of your advisors are telling you to support things like:
– Using billions of taxpayer dollars to compensate convicted felons and thugs who attacked police. (Ed… pic.twitter.com/P9nvBrazOy
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