Trump hits out at Republican for refusing to back his 'big, beautiful bill'

Donald Trump has hit out at Senator Thom Tillis over the North Carolina Republican's refusal to back his "big, beautiful bill", even as the president's sweeping legislation narrowly passed a procedural vote in the Senate.

- Edward Helmore

In a post on Truth Social, Trump threatened Tillis, who is up for re-election in 2026, by saying he would meet potential candidates to challenge him in a Republican primary.

"Numerous people have come forward wanting to run" against Tillis, Trump wrote on Saturday. "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."

Tillis was one of two Senate Republicans to vote against the bill championed by their party's leader. The other was Rand Paul of Kentucky.