DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowHalloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix Now×
FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Blog › Donald Trump

What Thom Tillis Reportedly Texted Trump—and What He Said About a Primary Threat

By Freedom251 Team · · 2 min read

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Reports published October 2, 2026, describe two profanity-filled texts that Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, says he sent President Donald Trump earlier that year. In the May 22 message, Tillis said he still wanted to help but objected to Trump’s conduct, concluding: “I care if you fail and right now we are failing.” His June 6 message denied that Trump had directly threatened him with a primary challenge; Tillis described what he said he would have done if Trump had made such a threat.

What did Thom Tillis reportedly text Trump?

The Daily Beast reported that Tillis’s May 22, 2026, message read: “I still want to help but I don’t take this bulls–t from anyone, including you Mr. President. Save that s–t for the cowards who don’t care if you fail. I care if you fail and right now we are failing.” The Independent also reported the message and its closing line, “right now we are failing.” The Daily Beast’s October 2 report and The Independent’s October 2 report attribute the excerpt to Tillis.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The message, as reported, combines continued willingness to help Trump with sharp criticism. CNN’s October 2 transcript says the text appeared to respond to Trump’s public criticism of Tillis on May 22; The Independent also reports that Trump criticized him that day. CNN’s News Central transcript recounts the May message and that reported connection.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Did Trump threaten Tillis with a primary challenge?

The reported June 6 text says no direct threat had been made. The Independent quoted Tillis as writing: “If you had ever threatened me directly with a primary, I would have immediately told you to ‘f*** yourself,’ and I would have announced my retirement immediately.” The Daily Beast also reported the message.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Trump: The Art of the Deal
  • Trump: The Art of the Deal

The wording is conditional: Tillis was describing what he said he would have done if Trump had directly threatened him. It is not evidence that he actually told Trump to “fuck yourself,” announced his retirement, or received a direct primary threat. The report does not establish the circumstances behind any indirect or public discussion of a primary challenge.

Why did the texts become public?

The October 2 reports connected the messages to Tillis’s forthcoming book, How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents. That connection explains why the texts were being publicized; it does not independently authenticate the excerpts.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What is known—and what remains unconfirmed

The published accounts describe two messages attributed to Tillis, dated May 22 and June 6, 2026. The sources available here are news reports and a broadcast transcript, not the original message screenshots or an official archive of the exchange. They do not establish the complete conversation or Trump’s replies. The excerpts should therefore be understood as reported text attributed to Tillis, rather than as a fully verified record of the exchange.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Trump: The Art of the Deal
Trump: The Art of the Deal
Trump: The Art of the Deal
$11.48
Bestseller No. 2
SaleBestseller No. 4
Melania
Melania
$12.97
Rank #4

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Donald TrumpNorth Carolinatext messagesThom TillisU.S. politics

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.