Political Turmoil Threatens Trump’s Bill as GOP Senators Defect

Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces an uphill battle to salvage President Trump's $5 trillion bill, with eight Republican senators now opposing the legislation. The defection of Senators Thom Tillis and Rand Paul has pushed the vote count to the brink of collapse, leaving Thune with a razor-thin margin for error.

Trump's public attacks on Tillis—branding him a "Talker and complainer, NOT A DOER"—have further inflamed tensions within the party. Tillis' announcement that he will not seek reelection removes any incentive for him to yield to pressure, solidifying his opposition.

The bill's fate hinges on Thune's ability to prevent additional defections. With moderates like Lisa Murkowski wavering, the White House risks a high-profile legislative failure that could reverberate through financial markets, including cryptocurrency sectors sensitive to macroeconomic policy shifts.