Trump Calls a Sitting Senator 'Already Gone'

President Donald Trump stated twice during a Fox Business interview on April 15 that Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is "no longer a senator." The claim has been rated False by fact-checkers at PolitiFact, as Tillis remains a sitting U.S. senator currently performing his duties.

The Fed Chair Confirmation Battle Behind the Remarks

The remarks stem from a deepening rift over the Federal Reserve. Trump has repeatedly clashed with Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the pace of interest rate cuts, and has nominated Kevin Warsh as Powell's intended successor.

Tillis sits on the Senate Banking Committee, which holds sway over the confirmation process. He has said he will not vote to confirm a new Fed chair until the Justice Department's investigation into Powell — related to cost overruns at Fed headquarters renovations — is resolved. Critics have called the investigation politically motivated, and it has encountered legal obstacles.

When host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump whether Warsh could be confirmed and whether Tillis would vote for him, Trump responded: "That's why Thom Tillis is no longer a senator." After Bartiromo pushed back by saying Tillis was "on his way out," Trump doubled down: "Well, no, he quit."

The Facts: Announcing Retirement Is Not Resigning

Tillis announced in June 2025 that he would not seek another term, following Trump's attacks after he voted against advancing the president's tax and spending bill. His statement cited the erosion of bipartisanship in Washington.

However, a retirement announcement is not a resignation. Tillis' term runs through January 2027. He is listed as a current member on the Senate's official website and cast a vote as recently as April 14 — the day before Trump's interview. This is not the first time Trump has made this claim; he made similar remarks to reporters on January 30.

The White House pointed to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's April 15 remarks, in which Bessent said Tillis had publicly called Warsh a great candidate and suggested moving forward with hearings.

Why It Matters

Tillis' continued presence in the Senate is precisely what gives his opposition to a new Fed chair real weight. By declaring Tillis politically irrelevant, Trump appeared to be attempting to diminish that influence. The episode underscores a broader pattern of the current administration's contentious relationship with factual political reality — and with members of its own party who exercise independent judgment.