Trump Just Put Thune’s Job on the Line — and Thune’s Response Was to Wince
Five words. That’s all Trump needed to signal that the Senate Majority Leader’s position is no longer secure.
“We’re going to find out.”
Townhall’s Cameron Arcand asked Trump directly in the Oval Office on Wednesday whether Thune is still the man for the job. Trump didn’t say yes. He didn’t reassure. He looked at the camera and said “we’re going to find out, and I’ll let you know” — the presidential equivalent of a performance review where the boss isn’t committing to keeping you on.
Thune’s response, when told what Trump said, was physically painful to watch. He winced. He said “alright, well, that’s nice of him, I guess. I don’t know, what do you say on that.” He noted that it’s a decision made by his colleagues — which is technically true and practically useless as an answer. That’s the response of a man who just found out his job security depends on doing something he hasn’t done yet.
Two days earlier, Trump had been more measured aboard Air Force One — “he’s got to get his job done, it’s fine, I have a good relationship with John Thune” — but pointedly added “he’s got to get his job done” twice in the same breath. And when asked if he’d thought about replacing him, said “I haven’t even thought of it.” That’s not a ringing endorsement. That’s a 48-hour grace period dressed in diplomatic language.
Here’s the blunt reality that Thune’s press conference answers confirmed: he doesn’t have the votes. Not for the SAVE America Act through the filibuster — he needs 10 Democrats who don’t exist. Not for the filibuster elimination — he claims he doesn’t have 50 Republican votes, in a 53-seat majority. Not for reconciliation, where he says 50 votes are “probably not there.”
“What is the end game?” Thune asked. It’s a legitimate question. Here’s the answer: pass the budget resolution, move reconciliation forward, embed the election integrity provisions that survive the Byrd Rule, and get something across the finish line before August 10. That’s the end game. The House has done its part three times. The president came to Capitol Hill personally. Seven senators have vowed to block recess adjournment. The American people support this legislation by 83%.
The only variable left is whether John Thune can find the will to act or continues finding reasons why he can’t.
“We’re going to find out” is not a threat Trump makes idly. He endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn. He spent months publicly pressuring Thune on Truth Social. He told senators personally at the White House to get it done. And now he’s declined to endorse his own Majority Leader when asked a direct question about it.
Thune winced. That wince is the whole story.
Get the job done, Senator. The clock is running out on more than just the legislation.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
