John Thune is noticeably missing from the speaker lineup for the Republican convention in Dallas this week, a move that has drawn attention amid reports of a growing rift with President Donald Trump. The Senate majority leader will still attend the two‑day event in Texas, which also hosts a key Senate race, but he will not address the crowd of Trump supporters that has gathered.
The exclusion follows months of clashes over policy and strategy. In early March, Thune urged Trump to endorse Sen. John Cornyn for re‑election in Texas, but the president instead endorsed both Cornyn and his eventual runoff opponent, Ken Paxton, ultimately choosing Paxton in the final weeks. Since that snub, Trump has repeatedly pressured Thune over the SAVE America Act, which would impose voter‑ID requirements, and has demanded the termination of the filibuster, publicly criticizing Thune for standing in the way of the bill.
Despite the tension, Thune is attending a fundraiser for Ken Paxton this week, who won the Texas primary over Cornyn. Thune had previously opposed Paxton during the primary, and his PACs spent tens of millions to protect Cornyn. His continued support for Paxton signals that he remains committed to preserving a GOP Senate majority, even as Democrats need to win four seats to take control of the chamber in November.
