Senate leader John Thune skips speaking slot at Dallas GOP convention amid Trump tensions
Senate Majority Leader John Thune will not address the crowd at the Republican convention in Dallas, a move seen as reflecting ongoing friction with Donald Trump.
John Thune is expected to be present at the Republican convention in Dallas but will not speak, marking a notable departure from the usual speaker roster that includes House Speaker Mike Johnson. The decision comes after a series of public clashes with Donald Trump, who has repeatedly urged Thune to support voter-ID legislation and to end the Senate filibuster. Trump has voiced frustration with Thune’s leadership and refrained from endorsing his continued role as Senate leader.
Despite the tension, Thune appeared with Trump at a unity luncheon earlier in June, though the meeting was reportedly strained. The rift resurfaced in July when Trump pressed Republicans to cancel the August recess to advance his agenda, a request Thune rejected. Thune is also slated to attend a fundraiser for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose primary battle he previously opposed.
Why it matters
Thune’s absence highlights a growing split between Senate leadership and the president, affecting GOP unity ahead of key elections.
How this story developed
- Jul 20 U.S. and Iran intensify air strikes over Strait of Hormuz, diplomacy stalls
- Sep 4 Vance announced the U.S. will not negotiate with Iran until attacks on commercial shipping cease.
- Sep 4 The United Arab Emirates announced a full stop to commercial and financial dealings with Iran.
- Sep 4 Iran announced missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
- Sep 4 US retail diesel rose to a record, threatening to further spike energy-driven inflation as wars in Iran and Russia roil the market.
- Sep 4 Vance is slated to speak on inflation and Iran at his first press briefing since July.
- Sep 5 Republican committees have filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging the Fourth Circuit ruling.
- Sep 5 Trump said, "A lot of people don't call it a war. I call it a military conflict because it's small potatoes for us. It's not a big thing."
- Sep 5 U.S. forces hit launchers on Larak Island and Iran fired ballistic missiles at U.S. sites in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
- Sep 5 Vance publicly downplayed the reported civilian deaths from the alleged strike.
- Sep 5 Eyewitnesses said the explosions shattered the wedding celebration in Kuhestak.
- Sep 6 Trump ordered a Dallas midterm convention just before Thanksgiving, triggering a ticket‑sale scramble and prompting several GOP officials to boycott the event.
- Sep 6 President Trump is reportedly weighing an end to the Iran war.
- Sep 7 A new poll shows Trump’s disapproval rating is nearly double its 2018 level, threatening GOP prospects in the midterms.
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