President Trump celebrates Tillis' retirement as 'Great News!' after senator defied him on his "big, beautiful" bill. (Getty Images)
The lawmaker voted against advancing the bill and is likely to vote against final passage, because deep Medicaid cuts inside the colossal bill brought on changes to the Medicaid provider tax rate.
THOM TILLIS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM SENATE AFTER CLASH WITH TRUMP
President Donald Trump, left, listens as Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., right, speaks during a meeting with Republican Senators on immigration in the Roosevelt Room in the White House, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
His announcement also comes after Trump spent much of Saturday evening blasting Tillis as a "grandstander" and vowing to interview potential primary challengers, while Vice President JD Vance, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and his leadership team worked over holdout fiscal hawks.
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"Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against ‘Senator Thom’ Tillis," Trump said on Truth Social. "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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-reacts-tillis-not-seeking-re-election-sends-warning-cost-cutting-republicans