# Thom Tillis political memoir and Trump relationship

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/thom-tillis-political-memoir-and-trump-relationship
> Updated: 2026-10-10T10:00:00.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 3.

U.S. Senator Thom Tillis has released a memoir titled ‘How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents: The Trouble with Sycophants, Courage Outsourcing, and Partisan Group Think’. The book provides details regarding his decision not to seek reelection in June 2025 and his contentious relationship with President Donald Trump.

Tillis uses the memoir to disclose private, profanity-laced text messages sent to the president, including one where he stated, ‘I still want to help but I don’t take this b------- from anyone, including you Mr. President.’ While he described Trump as ‘an amazing political talent,’ he expressed significant friction with the administration’s staff.

The senator also identifies specific political regrets, labeling his vote to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the ‘biggest regret of my career’ and noting he should have prevented Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from becoming Health and Human Services secretary. Tillis admitted to initially avoiding being a ‘lone voice in the wilderness’ against administration nominees to protect his political standing.

During a subsequent book tour, the outgoing senator has sought forgiveness for his role in confirming several members of the second Trump administration’s Cabinet. He specifically addressed his support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., noting he had previously hoped Kennedy would ‘go wild’ as an outsider. This appointment coincided with an overhaul of the Vaccine Advisory Board and subsequent changes to vaccine schedules, occurring alongside rising measles cases in states like Pennsylvania and South Carolina. While Tillis has defended the right of parents to make informed medical decisions, critics argue his position highlights a conflict within the MAGA movement regarding public health policy and institutional expertise.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-10: Senator Thom Tillis expresses regret over Trump Cabinet confirmations

Retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis is seeking forgiveness for his role in confirming Trump Cabinet members, specifically expressing regret over his support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-thom-tillis-expresses-regret-over-trump-cabinet-confirmations

### 2026-10-04: Senator Thom Tillis releases memoir detailing political regrets

Senator Thom Tillis’s new memoir details his regrets over confirming Pete Hegseth and his decision to step down from the Senate following political friction with the Trump administration.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-thom-tillis-releases-memoir-detailing-political-regrets

### 2026-10-02: Senator Thom Tillis sent profanity-laced texts to Donald Trump

Private text messages reveal Senator Thom Tillis sent profanity-laced rebukes to Donald Trump, stating he would not “take this bull**** from anyone” during their political feud.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senator-thom-tillis-sent-profanity-laced-texts-to-donald-trump

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Cite as: Thom Tillis political memoir and Trump relationship. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/thom-tillis-political-memoir-and-trump-relationship