Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) publicly criticized former President Donald Trump’s political endorsement strategy during a recent appearance on CNN’s 'State of the Union.' Specifically, Tillis addressed the primary election in Texas where Trump chose to support Ken Paxton rather than incumbent Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Tillis described the endorsement as a 'colossal mistake' during his conversation with host Jake Tapper. The senator’s remarks highlight ongoing internal tensions within the Republican Party regarding the influence of the former president on primary races and the selection of candidates. While Tillis did not elaborate on the specific long-term consequences of this endorsement, his comments serve as a rare public critique of Trump’s electoral decision-making from a sitting GOP senator. The Hill reports that this statement reflects broader concerns among some party members about the impact of Trump's interventions in state-level Republican primaries.