Republican Senator Thom Tillis has used his new book, How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents, to admit that his deciding vote for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remains his primary professional regret. The North Carolina lawmaker also expressed deep remorse for his role in allowing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to assume the position of Health and Human Services secretary.
The 50-50 tie that confirmed Pete Hegseth
In January 2025 , the confirmation of Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary hinged on a razor-thin margin. as the report details, Tillis pused his vote late into the evening on January 24 , 2025, after attempting to weigh the allegations against the nominee. The final tally resulted in a 50-50 split, which was ultimately broken by Vice President JD Vance.
Tillis also expressed profound regret regarding the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary. He noted that while it might be easy to critique the decision in hindsight, he is the one who must live with the "havoc" Kennedy's tenure has caused the country. Tillis emphasized that he never intended to allow his colleagues to "outsource their courage" to him while they maintained a facade of cooperation with the President's questionable nominations.
The 30 GOP colleagues privately questioning Trump
The political landscape within the Republican Party appears more fractured than public appearances suggest. According to the report, Tillis claims he can count at least 30 GOP colleagues who have expressed significant reservations about President Donald Trump’s actions in private settings.
Tillis does not limit his criticism to Hegseth; he also targets other high-profile Cabinet picks, including former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He observes that many Republicans who fear the end of their political careers will publicly offer nothing but praise for the administration when cameras are present, even if they believe the President's demands have gone "way too far."
A breaking point over the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
The tension between Tillis and the Trump administration reached a climax over the "Big Beautiful Bill," a sweeping package of tax and spending cuts . The conflict intensified when Tillis voiced his inability to support proposed cuts to Medicaid, leading to a direct confrontation with the President.
This ideological rift eventually led to Tillis's June 2025 announcement that he would not seek reelection. The report notes that Trump responded to this decision with social media attacks, labeling the North Carolina senator a "QUITTER" in May 2026. After Tillis texted the President asking him to find a replacement for his Senate seat, Trump reportedly replied, "I am! DJT."
The uncorroborated allegations against Hegseth
While Tillis expressed regret, several specific details regarding Pete Hegseth’s conduct remain unverified. The senator noted his skepticism regarding allegations involving Hegseth’s management style, his treatment of women, and instances of excessive drinking.
Because Tillis stated he could not corroborate these claims at the time of the vote, the full extent of the truth behind these allegations remains an open question. It is also unclaer how the administration would have responded had Tillis chosen to be the "lone voice in the wilderness" to block the nomination, or if his opposition would have triggered a broader movement among the 30 skeptical colleagues he identified.
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