Senator Thom Tillis demands answers after Ukraine reports a sudden loss of critical US military capabilities: ‘Putin is playing Trump like a fiddle’
'Republicans are heading for a midterm train wreck.'
Senator Thom Tillis is sounding the alarm regarding a sudden loss of critical military capabilities in Ukraine. He claims these setbacks show that Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing President Donald Trump like a fiddle. The North Carolina Republican made these comments in an interview with CNN. He argues that shifting support away from Ukraine is a massive mistake.
According to The Hill, the senator specifically pointed to reports from last week that suggested Ukraine lost full access to Starshield. This is the military version of SpaceX’s Starlink. He also highlighted a loss of access to vital U.S. Intelligence. Tillis sought answers on the same, joining three other Republican senators in a formal request. They want the Pentagon’s inspector general to investigate the situation to know if any senior officials ordered these restrictions.
Tillis noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed data speeds on Starshield have not been restored. Zelensky also told lawmakers that acquiring Patriot missile interceptors is becoming harder. These weapons are crucial for defending against Russian attacks. Tillis said that he wants to know who in the government is saying no to these transfers. He noted that these missiles are coming from third-party countries and not from U.S. inventories.
Tillis expressed deep frustration with the current state of affairs
The senator called Putin’s claim that he invaded Ukraine to de-Nazify the country a lie. He also slammed a proposed trilateral summit between Trump, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, labeling the idea as absurd. He stated that these are two countries who want to overwhelm the world.
Furthermore, Tillis and other GOP senators have denounced Trump’s deal to import hundreds of thousands of tons of Russian diesel. They argue this move undermines U.S. credibility with allies. They also claim it does little to lower domestic fuel prices.
This criticism coincides with a tense political atmosphere in North Carolina. According to Newsweek, Trump recently rallied in Greenville to support GOP Senate nominee Michael Whatley. Whatley is running for the seat currently held by the retiring Tillis. The senator has been vocal about his concerns regarding the party’s direction.
Tillis even recently warned that Republicans are heading for a midterm train wreck. He even marked a countdown on his phone with the blunt label of ‘Whoop Ass’. He believes the party faces a voter rebuke if it ignores political risks.
Tillis has been critical of the administration’s internal dynamics too
He argued that Trump is poorly served by certain advisers. He specifically singled out Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. The senator claimed that firing these advisers might change Trump’s behavior. He suggested that they often come up with really, really, really s—ty ideas that the president implements. Tillis believes the party needs to focus on undecided voters and warned that policies like Trump’s trade wars and foreign policy threats risk alienating them.
The senator also expressed skepticism about the long-term future of the current GOP coalition. He questioned whether Trump voters will remain with the party once it moves past the president’s personal appeal. Tillis thinks Trump has lost sight of traditional Republican priorities. He suggested that the populism created to expand the base might not stay with the party long term. This creates a challenging outlook for the 2028 election cycle.
Meanwhile, the midterm race remains a top priority for both parties. Democrats view North Carolina as a major opportunity to gain a seat. They need to flip four Republican seats to take control of the Senate. Trump has attempted to build support for candidates like Whatley. He announced new investments in semiconductor manufacturing during his visit and also hammered Democratic policies on crime. He specifically blamed former Governor Roy Cooper for prisoner releases.
Despite these efforts, the path forward looks complicated
The Senate Leadership Fund recently pulled back planned advertising funds for North Carolina. They are redirecting resources toward other races as the GOP works to retain control. Tillis has questioned the GOP’s choice of nominee in this race. He argued that Whatley’s background might make it harder to appeal to unaffiliated voters. He mentioned that the party needed a more moderate type of profile.
Tillis predicted that Republicans could finish with 50 or 51 Senate seats. However, he warned that the party’s difficulties could extend beyond the midterms. He suggested that a more cooperative relationship with a potentially Democratic-controlled House could give Republicans a chance to show a different governing approach. This would require the administration to accept that voters are dissatisfied with certain aspects of its performance.
Whether the party chooses to extend an olive branch or double down remains to be seen. Tillis clearly believes that the current strategy is failing the country and the party. He remains committed to seeking transparency regarding the military situation in Ukraine, insisting that the government address these critical gaps in capability immediately.
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