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Trump’s Trust in Thune Crumbles as SAVE Act Collapses
Trump vs. Thune: Why the President Is Mad at His Own Senate Leader
Quick Summary: President Donald Trump wants a specific election bill passed right now. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says the votes simply aren’t there. Trump is publicly criticizing Thune, but Thune’s fellow senators still have his back—for now.
What Is the SAVE America Act?
Think of the SAVE America Act as President Trump’s #1 legislative wish list item. It’s a bill that would:
- Require photo ID to vote in federal elections
- Add citizenship verification for voter registration
- Make other changes to election rules that Trump and many Republicans have pushed for years
ELI5 Analogy: Imagine a kid (Trump) really wants a specific toy (the SAVE Act). He tells the store manager (Thune), "Get it for me!" The manager checks the shelves and says, "We don’t have it in stock, and the supplier won’t send it."
Why Is Trump Upset with John Thune?
The Timeline of Tension
- Months of Pressure – Trump has been pushing Republicans nonstop to pass this bill
- Loyalty Test – Supporting the bill became a way to prove you’re "on Trump’s team"
- Thune’s Resistance – Thune, as Senate Majority Leader, controls what gets voted on
- Public Break – Trump recently told reporters: "That’s too bad for him… He should get it done."
- Wavering Support – When asked if Thune is the right leader, Trump said: "We’re going to find out, and I’ll let you know."
Thune’s Defense: "The Math Doesn’t Work"
Thune isn’t saying no because he dislikes the bill. He’s saying no because he can’t count to 60.
The Vote Count Problem
| Group | Position on SAVE Act | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Senate Democrats | Overwhelmingly OPPOSE | 47-49 votes against |
| Some Republicans | NEVER supported it | A bloc of GOP senators won’t vote yes |
| Filibuster Rule | Needs 60 votes to pass | Can’t just use simple majority |
| Nuclear Option | Trump wants to kill filibuster | Thune says votes aren’t there for that either |
IMPORTANT POINT: In the Senate, most bills need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster (a blocking tactic). With only 53 Republicans—and some opposed—Thune literally cannot pass this bill right now.
What Other Republicans Are Saying
Defending Thune
"I think it’s wrong to blame Thune… This is not his fault."
– Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.)"Thune has helped navigate an almost impossible scenario… I hope the next Congress shows some independence and courage."
– Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)
Even His Former Rival Supports Him
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.)—who ran against Thune for Majority Leader—told reporters:
- "John’s a smart guy. He is working really hard."
- "It’s tough to be the leader."
- No plans to run again for the top spot
How Senate Leadership Actually Works
Civics Lesson: The Senate Majority Leader is NOT chosen by the President.
The Selection Process
- Only Senate Republicans vote – All 53 GOP senators cast secret ballots
- Internal election – Happens behind closed doors
- Majority wins – Whoever gets 27+ votes becomes leader
- Trump has no formal say – He can endorse, but senators decide
Thune won this job by beating Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) in a competitive race after Mitch McConnell retired.
What Has Thune Actually Done?
Despite this one fight, Thune’s record includes:
Record-speed nominee confirmations – Getting Trump’s picks approved faster than ever
Moving other Trump-backed legislation – Not everything, but major priorities
Protecting vulnerable Republicans – Letting them skip tough votes when needed
Managing a 53-47 majority – With almost zero margin for error
What Happens Next?
Possible Scenarios
| Scenario | Likelihood | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Thune stays firm | High | Bill stays stalled; Trump stays mad |
| Trump pressures more | High | Public attacks, maybe primary threats |
| Senators abandon Thune | Low (for now) | Leadership challenge could emerge |
| Compromise bill emerges | Medium | Watered-down version might pass |
| Filibuster killed | Very Low | Not enough GOP support to change rules |
Summary
- Trump wants the SAVE America Act passed NOW – It’s his top priority
- Thune says the votes don’t exist – Democrats oppose, some Republicans oppose, filibuster requires 60 votes
- Trump is publicly attacking Thune – Calling him out by name, questioning his leadership
- But Thune’s colleagues still support him – Even his former rivals say he’s doing a hard job well
- Senate leaders are chosen by senators, not presidents – Thune’s job is safe unless his caucus turns on him
- The stalemate continues – No clear path forward for the bill
FAQ
What exactly does the SAVE America Act do?
A: It would require photo ID to vote in federal elections, mandate citizenship proof for voter registration, and make other election-integrity changes Republicans have wanted for years.
Why can’t Thune just make Republicans vote for it?
A: He can schedule a vote, but he can’t force senators to vote yes. Several Republicans have said they’ll never support this bill. Without them—and with all Democrats opposed—the math fails.
Can Trump fire Thune?
A: No. The Senate Majority Leader is elected by Republican senators only. Trump has zero formal power to remove him. He can only pressure, endorse a rival, or tweet angrily.
What’s the "nuclear option" Trump wants?
A: Changing Senate rules to kill the filibuster with a simple majority (51 votes). This would let bills pass with 51 instead of 60. But several Republicans oppose this too, so Thune says those votes don’t exist either.
Has this happened before with Trump and Senate leaders?
A: Yes. Trump frequently clashed with Mitch McConnell (previous leader) over similar issues—spending bills, judicial nominations, and election legislation. This is a pattern.
Source Note: This article is based on reporting by Alex Miller, Fox News Digital Senate correspondent, covering public statements from President Trump, Leader Thune, and multiple Republican senators in January 2026.
