US President Donald Trump rebuked North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis on Saturday night after the lawmaker voted against moving Trump’s signature “big beautiful” tax‑and‑spending bill forward in the Senate. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump accused Tillis of offering Americans “a 68% Tax Increase, as opposed to the Biggest Tax Cut in American History,” and claimed the senator “is unable to understand the importance of a Debt Extension, which Republicans gave to the Democrats just prior to the November 5th Election.” Trump argued that Democrats “probably won’t reciprocate” because “they’re nasty people who actually hate our Country.”Trump has imposed 4 July deadline for Congress to deliver the mega‑bill to his desk. Trump singled out Tillis despite two other GOP senators—Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Rand Paul of Kentucky, who also withheld support during the rare weekend session. With Republicans holding a 53‑47 majority, the party can afford to lose only three votes before Vice‑President JD Vance would be required to break a tie.Trump’s Truth Social post listed key goals of the bill, including making his 2017 tax cuts permanent, ending taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, boosting border security, strengthening the military, and supporting farmers and manufacturers. He criticized Tillis for opposing these measures and accused him of abandoning North Carolina’s tobacco industry while supporting expensive, Chinese-made windmills. Tillis has maintained he will oppose the package unless it includes the Medicaid changes he supported in an earlier House‑passed version. “The Senate version of the One Big Beautiful bill contains significant changes to Medicaid that would be devastating to North Carolina, and I cannot support it”, Tillis posted on X. The bill’s massive scope requires raising the debt ceiling by roughly $5 trillion—another flashpoint Trump says is critical “for the future of the USA.” He warned fellow Republicans that a “no” vote would be an “ultimate betrayal.” Trump also hinted at political retaliation, writing that “numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against ‘Senator Thom’ Tillis,” and promising to meet prospective challengers “over the coming weeks.”The nearly 940-page bill was unveiled late Friday night. Senate debate is set to continue over the weekend, with several amendments and votes still to come. If approved by the Senate, the bill will head back to the House of Representatives for a final vote before it can be sent to Trump at the White House.Also read | Musk takes on Trump again: Tesla chief attacks ‘big, beautiful bill’, says it will destroy jobs; calls it ‘utterly insane, destructive’
