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Trump Loses Faith in Thune as MAGA Bill Collapses
Trump vs. Thune: The Battle Over the SAVE America Act Explained Simply
What’s Going On? (The Big Picture)
Imagine two teammates on the same side who suddenly start arguing in front of everyone. That’s basically what’s happening between President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (a Republican Senator from South Dakota who leads the Republican team in the Senate).
IMPORTANT POINT
The fight isn’t about whether they want the same thing—they both want the SAVE America Act to pass. The fight is about whether it’s actually possible to pass it right now.
What Is the SAVE America Act?
Think of the SAVE America Act as President Trump’s "favorite bill"—the one he wants more than anything else. Here’s what it does in simple terms:
- Requires voter ID for federal elections (you’d need to show proof of citizenship to vote)
- Changes how elections are run across the country
- Trump calls it his "missing legislative crown jewel"—fancy words for "the big trophy he wants on his shelf"
Trump has been pushing this bill for months and has made supporting it a loyalty test for Republicans. In his view: If you’re a real Republican, you vote for this bill.
Why Is Trump Upset with Thune?
The Timeline of Tension
- Months of pressure – Trump has been "badgering" (pushing hard) Republicans to pass the bill
- Thune was spared at first – For a while, Trump didn’t blame Thune personally
- The dam broke – Recently, Trump started criticizing Thune directly
What Trump Said
"Well, that’s too bad for him. I mean, that’s too bad for him and too bad for the Republican Party."
"He’s got the votes. He should get it done. He should be able to get it done."
When asked if Thune is the right leader: "Well, we’re going to find out, and I’ll let you know."
Translation: Trump thinks Thune could pass the bill if he just tried harder—or used different tactics.
Thune’s Side of the Story
The "Math Problem" Thune Keeps Mentioning
Thune isn’t saying no because he doesn’t want the bill. He’s saying no because the numbers don’t work.
Here’s the Senate "math" Thune is dealing with:
| Group | Position on SAVE Act | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Senate Democrats | Overwhelmingly OPPOSE | They control enough votes to block it |
| Some Republicans | NEVER supported it | A bloc of GOP senators simply won’t vote for it |
| Filibuster Rule | Requires 60 votes to pass most bills | Republicans only have ~53 seats—nowhere near 60 |
IMPORTANT POINT
Thue says: "That must be a different form of math" when Trump claims the votes exist. Thune has tested the bill multiple times in different forms—it never gets close to passing.
What Thune Has Actually Done
Despite the fight, Thune’s team points out he’s delivered for Trump in other ways:
- Moved major Trump-backed legislation
- Set a record pace for confirming Trump’s nominees (judges, officials, etc.)
- Managed vulnerable Republicans who have to take tough votes
- Navigated Democrats blocking Trump’s agenda at every turn
What Other Republicans Say
Several Republican senators have Thune’s back:
Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas)
"I think it’s wrong to blame Thune for this… This is not his fault."
Senator Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina)
"I hope the next Congress… show some independence and courage. And recognize that Thune has helped navigate an almost impossible scenario to navigate with this president."
Translation: Tillis thinks Thune is doing a hard job well—and wishes more senators would think for themselves instead of just following Trump.
Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida) — Who Actually Ran Against Thune for Leader!
"John’s a smart guy. He is working really hard. So I think he shouldn’t — you know, it’s tough to be the leader."
"We’ve got a lot of issues we haven’t addressed, so it’s hard. I assumed it was gonna be hard."
Big point: Even the guy who wanted Thune’s job says Thune is doing fine.
How Senate Leadership Works (ELI5 Version)
You might wonder: Can Trump just fire Thune?
Nope. Here’s how it actually works:
- Senate Republicans vote for their own leader — It’s an internal election, like picking a team captain
- The President has NO official vote — Trump can complain, but he doesn’t get a ballot
- Thune won a three-way race — He beat Senator John Cornyn (Texas) and Senator Rick Scott (Florida) for the job
- Thune plans to run again — He intends to seek another term as leader when the time comes
IMPORTANT POINT
Thune’s job security depends on his fellow Republican senators—not on Donald Trump. So far, his colleagues are sticking with him.
What Happens Next?
The Standoff Continues
- Trump keeps demanding the Senate stay in session until the bill passes
- Thune keeps saying the votes simply don’t exist
- The filibuster remains — Trump wants to "nuke" (eliminate) it, but Thune says there aren’t even 51 Republican votes to do that
Two Possible Paths
| Scenario | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Trump wins | Thune finds a procedural trick, changes rules, or pressures holdout Republicans—and the bill passes |
| Thune wins | The bill stays stuck, Trump stays mad, but Thune keeps his leadership job because senators back him |
Summary
- President Trump wants the SAVE America Act (voter ID/election bill) passed now and sees it as a loyalty test
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune says the votes don’t exist—Democrats oppose it, some Republicans oppose it, and the filibuster requires 60 votes
- Trump has turned on Thune, publicly questioning his leadership and saying "he’s got the votes"
- Thune pushes back with "different form of math" and points to his record of delivering for Trump on other priorities
- Most Republican senators defend Thune—even his former rival Rick Scott
- Thune’s job is safe for now because Senate Republicans (not Trump) elect their leader
- The bill remains stalled with no clear path forward
FAQ
What exactly does the SAVE America Act do?
A: It would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship (like a passport or birth certificate) to register to vote in federal elections. It also makes other changes to election administration. Supporters say it prevents non-citizen voting; opponents say it creates barriers for eligible voters.
Why can’t Thune just change the rules to pass it with 51 votes?
A: That’s called "nuking the filibuster." Thune says there aren’t even 51 Republican votes to do that—meaning some Republicans oppose changing the rules, not just the bill itself.
Can Trump fire John Thune as Majority Leader?
A: No. The Senate Majority Leader is elected by Senate Republicans in a private vote. The President has no formal role in choosing or removing them.
Why do some Republicans oppose the SAVE Act?
A: Reasons vary: some think it’s bad policy, some worry it disenfranchises legitimate voters, some believe election rules should be set by states (not the federal government), and some fear political backlash in their home states.
Has the Senate voted on this bill before?
A: Yes. Thune says the legislation "has been tested several times in a variety of forms, and has never gotten the needed votes to pass."
Article by Alex Miller, Fox News Digital
