Thune Admits Some Senate Republicans Hate Trump Too Much To Support SAVE America Act

[mystery-ak]

Ashley Brasfield
Senior Politics Reporter
June 17, 2026 4:02 PM ET

Senate Majority Leader John Thune admitted some Senate Republicans hate President Donald Trump too much to support the SAVE America Act, multiple sources familiar with the comments told the Daily Caller.

Thune admitted during a closed-door GOP lunch on Wednesday that some Republican senators oppose President Donald Trump so strongly that they will never vote for the SAVE America Act, regardless of the legislation’s merits, according to several sources familiar with the matter.

The discussion quickly escalated into a heated exchange between Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee, the bill’s chief Senate sponsor, and several of his GOP colleagues. Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Thune both challenged Lee’s push for the legislation, according to a source familiar with the meeting.

“Yeah, that totally happened,” a source familiar with the matter told the Daily Caller.

Still, the Majority Leader’s office denies the admission. “This is a baseless claim, and it is unequivocally untrue,” a spokesperson for Thune told the Daily Caller.

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https://dailycaller.com/2026/06/17/john-thune-admits-gop-senators-hate-trump-too-much-too-pass-save-america-act-cornyn-lee-kennedy/

[Cyber Liberty]

Thune should know, he's one of them!  It's not just the SAVE Act, it's also keeping the Senate in Pro Forma Session to keep Trump from making Recess Appointments, to name just two!

[bilo]

Thune should know, he's one of them!  It's not just the SAVE Act, it's also keeping the Senate in Pro Forma Session to keep Trump from making Recess Appointments, to name just two!

Bit by bit they are getting primaried.

It would be great if they had enough courage of their convictions to openly declare their hatred, but they won't.

[roamer_1]

What a ridiculous litmus test... Whether or not they will support an act which will - without a doubt - be thrown out by the SCOTUS, as a measurement of fealty to a man with only two years to go.

*SMH*

[Timber Rattler]

What a ridiculous litmus test... Whether or not they will support an act which will - without a doubt - be thrown out by the SCOTUS, as a measurement of fealty to a man with only two years to go.

*SMH*

Yeah, this sorry state of affairs is mostly Trump's fault because, like it or not, the Congress is a co-equal branch of government, and as the head of the party in power, it's Trump's job to manage it in such a way that he gets the legislative packages he wants passed.  FDR and LBJ were masters of negotiating and cajoling their Congress people and Senators.  Trump just tries to get everything he wants through uncompromising bullying, and that doesn't work most of the time.

[roamer_1]

Yeah, this sorry state of affairs is mostly Trump's fault because, like it or not, the Congress is a co-equal branch of government, and as the head of the party in power, it's Trump's job to manage it in such a way that he gets the legislative packages he wants passed.  FDR and LBJ were masters of negotiating and cajoling their Congress people and Senators.  Trump just tries to get everything he wants through uncompromising bullying, and that doesn't work most of the time.

That's right... or mostly right - That bully pulpit belongs to the president, and it IS a tool at his disposal. But the reality is that he has always failed at bringing Congress to his side, regardless of the reason. That's his primary job, and it has never ever been a fealty thing - Which he seems to think it's all about. Fealty is possible of course... But it's a result, not a reason.

[Cyber Liberty]

That's right... or mostly right - That bully pulpit belongs to the president, and it IS a tool at his disposal. But the reality is that he has always failed at bringing Congress to his side, regardless of the reason. That's his primary job, and it has never ever been a fealty thing - Which he seems to think it's all about. Fealty is possible of course... But it's a result, not a reason.

Is it Trump's fault Thune keeps the Senate in perpetual Session?

[Bigun]

Is it Trump's fault Thune keeps the Senate in perpetual Session?

Nope! But I told everyone here 10 years ago that draining that swamp was going to a hell-of-a-lot easier said than done!

[Cyber Liberty]

Nope! But I told everyone here 10 years ago that draining that swamp was going to a hell-of-a-lot easier said than done!

And more than one or two Presidential term!

[Bigun]

And more than one or two Presidential term!

It took more than 100 years for us to sink this far. At least half of that to get back. IF that is even possible now.

[roamer_1]

Is it Trump's fault Thune keeps the Senate in perpetual Session?

In the end, the buck stops at the top. Reagan had terrible times with Congress, but he still got sh*t done. Jussayin.