Fact Check: Did John Thune and GOP senators plot with Democrats to remove Trump in 2026?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral post claims that Senate Majority Leader John Thune, along with at least 10 other Republican senators, is planning to team up with Democrats to remove President Donald Trump from office if the Democrats win majorities in the 2026 midterms. Rising tensions within the Senate GOP over the SAVE America Act, filibuster rules, and key nominations have already sparked MAGA supporters to call for Thune’s replacement. Let's fact-check the claim.

Claim: GOP senators are preparing to remove Trump from office

A post circulating on X claims that GOP senators are preparing to remove President Trump from office.

According to the post, “RINO Senate Majority Leader and Trump hater John Thune is reportedly rallying fellow Never Trump so-called 'Republicans' in The US Senate to commit and prepare to vote to REMOVE PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM OFFICE if Democrats take back control of both chambers of Congress with what Thune is hoping are SUPER MAJORITIES after November's midterm elections.”

The post further alleged that Thune is coordinating with Democratic leaders, stating that he is working “hand in hand” with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to obstruct and sabotage President Trump’s agenda. It claimed that the three are allegedly planning to fast-track Trump’s removal if Democrats achieve their goals in November.

The post also claimed that Thune has convinced 10 fellow Republican senators to support this effort and is in “active talks” with others to reach the required 67 votes in the Senate.

The senators named in the post, referred to as the “Treasonous Ten”, include Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul of Kentucky, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, John Cornyn of Texas, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley of Iowa, and Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker.

Fact Check: False, no evidence to support John Thune planning against Trump

The claim that Senator John Thune is rallying at least 10 other Republican senators to vote to remove President Trump from office is false. There is no evidence from mainstream or reliable news sources to support this allegation. 

Extensive searches of coverage on Senate GOP dynamics, Thune-Trump tensions, and 2026 midterm strategies show no reports of such a plot, coordination with Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer or Hakeem Jeffries, or a pre-committed group of 11 or more Republican senators planning impeachment or 25th Amendment action.

While there are ongoing tensions between Thune, Senate GOP leadership, and Trump-aligned MAGA factions, covering issues such as the SAVE America Act, nominations, spending bills, and procedural disputes, these reflect normal legislative negotiations and intra-party disagreements. Trump and his allies have publicly pressured Thune, and some conservatives have called for his removal as Senate leader, but these conflicts do not constitute evidence of a coup plot.

Removing a president requires impeachment by the House and conviction by the Senate. Even if Democrats gain control in 2026, achieving 67 votes would require nearly all Democrats, plus a substantial number of Republicans, to vote against a sitting president. This scenario is extremely unlikely without overwhelming bipartisan consensus. 

The claim originates from partisan X accounts within pro-Trump/MAGA circles, reflecting frustration with Senate delays. It echoes previous “RINO” accusations but provides no named sources, documents, or credible leaks.