Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) acknowledged in a new interview that there is a real possibility President Trump will react poorly if Republicans suffer significant losses in next month's midterm elections, potentially contesting the results or lashing out at his own party.
During a conversation with New York Times columnist Ross Douthat on CBS's "60 Minutes," Tillis was asked whether he worries about Trump's response to a "bad night" on Election Day. "I think there's a risk, I really do," Tillis said.
Tillis cautioned that it would be a political mistake for Trump to attack fellow Republicans or dispute the election outcome, especially given that the president's low approval ratings and voter concerns about the economy are already weighing on the GOP. "It would be another political unforced error if we do that," he said.
The comments came as Tillis reflected on Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, which culminated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Tillis expressed continued disgust over the violence, calling the day "despicable" and saying that those who assaulted police officers should still be serving long prison sentences.
Yet Tillis defended his vote to acquit Trump on the impeachment charge of inciting insurrection, arguing that Democrats rushed the process to bar Trump from future office. "What you're doing is a means-justifies-the-end rationalization," he said. "So cheapening the impeachment process to prevent someone from running in the future, I just don't buy it."
Trump has repeatedly warned of widespread voter fraud in the upcoming election, despite a lack of evidence. He has pushed for stricter voting laws, including the SAVE America Act, which would require photo ID and proof of citizenship to vote. He also issued an executive order in March aimed at screening mail-in ballots, a plan that courts have blocked.
In a recent interview with Time magazine, Trump declined to rule out invoking the Insurrection Act or declaring a national emergency around the midterms. "I'm not committing to anything," he said. "We're going to see how it plays out in court."
Tillis's remarks highlight growing anxiety among some Republicans about Trump's potential to undermine confidence in the electoral process. Trump has promised a big GOP win if his supporters turn out, but his rhetoric on fraud has raised concerns about the party's unity and credibility.
As the midterms approach, some Republicans are warning against ignoring voters' economic concerns, while Trump continues to campaign in key states. The Supreme Court's term also looms with potential clashes over voting and election issues.
