Thom Tillis fires back after Trump attack, says he’ll have ‘a lot of fun’ in final Senate months‘

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Thom Tillis publicly pushed back against President Donald Trump on Friday, May 22, after the latter, also publicly, slammed the North Carolina Republican over his criticism of the Justice Department’s controversial “anti-weaponization fund.” The exchange marked the latest escalation in tensions between the two Republicans, who have increasingly clashed during Trump’s second term.

The dispute centers on a $1.8 billion DOJ fund created as part of a settlement involving Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over the leaking of his tax returns. Tillis, who announced earlier this year that he will not seek reelection, has become more outspoken in challenging Trump administration policies and political strategy in recent months.

Thom Tillis rejects Trump-backed policies, calls fund ‘stupid stuff’

Hours after Trump attacked him as “weak and ineffective,” Tillis fired back with a lengthy post on X defending his criticism of several Trump-backed policies. “Mr. President, completely agree about having a lot of fun over these next seven months,” Tillis wrote, referencing his remaining time in office after announcing he would not seek reelection.

The North Carolina senator then outlined a series of policies he opposed, including “using billions of taxpayer dollars to compensate convicted felons and thugs who attacked police,” referring to the DOJ's  “anti-weaponization fund.” Tillis also criticized proposals tied to housing policy, publicly traded companies, and military leadership.

“If opposing these things makes me a RINO, then I gladly accept that nickname,” Tillis added. “We need Republicans to do well in November, but the stupid stuff is killing our chances!”

Trump’s criticism came earlier on the same day, in a Truth Social post in which he accused Tillis of undermining the Republican Party and claimed the senator dropped his reelection bid after learning Trump would not endorse him. The president described Tillis as a “Nitpicker” who was “always fighting against the Republican Party.”

Trump feud highlights broader Republican tensions

The public dispute underscored broader divisions within the Republican Party as some lawmakers increasingly distance themselves from Trump-backed initiatives. Tillis has repeatedly criticized the “anti-weaponization fund,” at one point describing it as “stupid on stilts.” He argued the proposal could force taxpayers to fund payouts for people who had already pleaded guilty or been convicted in court.

“These people don’t deserve restitution. Many of them deserve to be in prison,” Tillis said on Thursday, May 21. He further warned that the issue could politically damage Republicans ahead of the midterm elections, calling it “bad policy,” “bad timing,” and “bad politics.”

The fund has also drawn criticism from other Republicans, including Senator Mitch McConnell, who reportedly said, "So, the nation’s top law enforcement official is asking for a slush fund to pay people who assault cops? Utterly stupid, morally wrong. Take your pick.”