Trump Risks Presidency by Pushing GOP Senators to Retire

The Wall Street Journal editorial board has criticized President Donald Trump for publicly attacking GOP Senators Thom Tillis and Rand Paul after a narrow 51-49 vote advancing Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill. The Journal argues that Trump's aggressive push against Tillis, who subsequently announced his retirement, jeopardizes the Republican Party's slim 53-47 Senate majority and puts Trump's presidency at risk. The paper warns that Tillis's seat is vulnerable to a Democratic pickup in 2026, alongside other challenging races for Republicans, including Susan Collins in Maine, Joni Ernst in Iowa, and the potential Texas contest between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn. The Journal contends that Trump's inability to refrain from attacking fellow Republicans during political victories undermines GOP stability and could imperil future legislative reforms and Supreme Court confirmations. These developments underscore concerns that Trump's confrontational approach may weaken Republican Senate control and threaten his presidential agenda. Overall, the editorial portrays Trump's actions as self-sabotaging at a critical political moment.