Donald Trump‑Thune feud deepens, threatens GOP unity before midterms

Donald Trump John Thune GOP unity filibuster midterm elections

President Donald Trump has been in frequent contact with House Speaker Mike Johnson, often speaking multiple times a day, while his communications with Senate Majority Leader John Thune have dwindled to an "as‑needed" basis. Trump has not spoken with Thune for nearly two weeks, learning about the president’s actions mainly through media and the Truth Social platform.

During this period Trump has publicly criticized Thune, accusing him of failing to advance the SAVE America Act and pressing the Senate to eliminate the filibuster—an effort Thune has repeatedly rejected. Trump also intensified his campaign against fellow Republican Senator John Cornyn, seeking to oust him in a May primary. Thune, citing insufficient Republican support, says the SAVE America Act lacks a path to passage and is focusing on a stopgap funding bill to avert a government shutdown before the September 30 deadline.

The growing rift has sparked anxiety among GOP lawmakers, who fear the internal dispute could weaken the party’s slim congressional majorities ahead of the November midterm elections.

Entities

Donald Trump · John Cornyn · John Thune · Mike Johnson · SAVE America Act · U.S. Senate · United States Senate

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Donald Trump has urged the Senate to eliminate the filibuster. keyt.com · krdo.com · kvia.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Donald Trump moved to take out fellow Republican Senator John Cornyn in a primary in May. keyt.com · krdo.com · kvia.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The rift between Trump and Thune is causing anxiety among Republican lawmakers defending fragile majorities ahead of the November midterm elections. keyt.com · krdo.com · kvia.com
[● 3 SOURCES] John Thune has repeatedly rejected Donald Trump’s demand to eliminate the filibuster. keyt.com · krdo.com · kvia.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Donald Trump has not spoken to Senate Majority Leader John Thune for nearly two weeks. keyt.com · krdo.com · kvia.com
[● 3 SOURCES] House Speaker Mike Johnson sometimes cannot reach President Donald Trump by phone. keyt.com · krdo.com · kvia.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Donald Trump publicly criticized John Thune’s stewardship of the Senate chamber. keyt.com · krdo.com · kvia.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] John Thune is focusing on passing a stopgap funding bill before the September 30 deadline to avoid a government shutdown. en.tempo.co
[● 6 SOURCES] Donald Trump publicly criticizes John Thune for failing to advance the SAVE America Act. dziennik-polityczny.com · en.tempo.co · keyt.com · krdo.com · www.ibtimes.co.uk · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Donald Trump moved to take out Senator John Cornyn in a May primary. dziennik-polityczny.com · en.tempo.co · keyt.com · krdo.com · www.ibtimes.co.uk · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Donald Trump frequently contacts House Speaker Mike Johnson, sometimes several times a day. dziennik-polityczny.com · en.tempo.co · www.ibtimes.co.uk
[● 5 SOURCES] The Trump‑Thune rift is causing anxiety among Republican lawmakers and could weaken GOP prospects in the November midterm elections. en.tempo.co · keyt.com · krdo.com · www.ibtimes.co.uk · kvia.com