Fact Check: Did Thom Tillis accept $750K from Democrats to vote against Trump's 'big beautiful bill'?
WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Thom Tillis announced on Sunday, June 29 that he would not seek reelection next year. Tillis is one of the two Senate Republicans, along with Rand Paul, who has opposed President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill".
Recently, a rumor circulated online claiming that Thom Tillis accepted $750,000 from the Democratic Party to vote against the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.
Claim: Thom Tillis accepted $750K from Democrats to vote against Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill'
A rumor circulated online in June 2025 claiming that Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, accepted $750,000 from the Democratic Party to vote against the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act.
Notably, the budget bill, a keystone piece of Trump's policy program, was the object of a voting marathon in the Senate starting on June 30, 2025, Snopes reported.
The claim mainly circulated on Facebook, where a user shared a side-by-side photograph of Trump and Tillis with what seemed to be a copied article that credited Newsmax.
The post read, "In a move shaking Washington, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced he will vote against Donald Trump’s highly anticipated “Big Beautiful Bill,” citing opposition to proposed Medicare changes."
"Tillis claimed the bill’s impact on seniors and healthcare access in North Carolina was “unacceptable,” aligning himself with a small group of Republicans distancing from Trump’s legislative push. But now, questions are swirling, not about the bill, but about Tillis himself," it added.
The post also mentioned, "A $750,000 wire transfer from the North Carolina Democratic Party was deposited into Tillis’s personal bank account shortly before he publicly broke ranks with Trump."
False: The post originated as a satire
The claims made in the online rumor are false, as there are no such article reporting the alleged story on the Newsmax site, according to Snopes.
Moreover, Tillis' office said that the rumor was not grounded in fact and a spokesperson added that "this is not remotely true".
Furthermore, the allegation likely originated with a post on a Facebook page known as The Patriot Meme Bank, which seemed to have a history of sharing humorous or satirical content made by others, the fact-checking outlet reported.
Facebook user Jonathan Gregory shared a video on the page on June 29 with the caption, "$750,000 Bombshell: Did Democrats Buy Off Senator Tillis to Sink Trump's Bill?"
Meanwhile, the Facebook user describes himself as a comedian in his Facebook intro and links to his website, upon which he calls himself "The Creepy Comic".
Trump cheers Thom Tillis not seeking reelection
President Trump welcomed the news that Thom Tillis will not seek reelection but cautioned “cost-cutting” Republicans not to go “too crazy,” reminding them they still need to win elections.
In a pair of Truth Social posts on Sunday, June 29, Trump first cheered the news that Thom Tillis of North Carolina will not be seeking reelection.
Earlier in the day, Trump wrote, “Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against ‘Senator Thom’ Tillis. I will be meeting with them over the coming weeks, looking for someone who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina and, so importantly, the United States of America.”
Meanwhile, following Tillis’ announcement, the POTUS posted again, celebrating the news, “Great News! ‘Senator’ Thom Tillis will not be seeking reelection.”
Moreover, addressing fiscal conservatives in the GOP, Trump added, “For all cost-cutting Republicans, of which I am one, remember, you still have to get reelected. Don’t go too crazy! We will make it all up, times 10, with growth, more than ever before.”
