President Donald Trump raged against Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) on Friday after the GOP lawmaker gave Trump's former personal lawyer and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche conditions for approving his nomination, The New Republic reported.
Trump was heading to an event in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and boarding Air Force One when a reporter at Joint Base Andrews asked him about the ultimatum from Tillis, who plans to retire at the end of his term in January 2027 and has made it clear that Blanche needs to disavow the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists for him to consider approving him as attorney general.
"Senator Tillis is a loser," Trump said. "That’s why he didn’t run. He didn’t run because I wouldn’t support him. And he’s just an angry man because he’s not gonna be a senator any longer. He wasn’t respected in the Senate. He fought a lot of people, he fought Pete Hegseth, Pete Hegseth turned out to be a gem. Senator Tillis is a loser. Stone cold.... He was forced to leave the Senate because I wouldn’t support him, and he quit. So now he’s trying to make trouble."
"Todd Blanche is a brilliant guy who everybody likes, everybody respects,” Trump added. “[Tillis is] not qualified; he’s not good for the position."
Reporter: Senator Tillis said he won't support Todd Blanche’s confirmation unless he condemns January 6. Do you have a reaction to that?
Trump: Senator Tillis is a loser. That's why he didn't run. He didn't run because I wouldn't support him. And he's just an angry man because… pic.twitter.com/K5Zmdvo9Wg
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 5, 2026