{"id":2600076,"date":"2026-05-07T17:48:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T21:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/turning-point-threatens-to-primary-john-thune-over-save-america-act\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T17:49:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T21:49:42","slug":"turning-point-threatens-to-primary-john-thune-over-save-america-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/turning-point-threatens-to-primary-john-thune-over-save-america-act\/","title":{"rendered":"Turning Point threatens to primary John Thune over SAVE America Act"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fturning-point-threatens-to-primary-john-thune-over-save-america-act%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2600076&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Turning Point Action,the 501(c)(4) arm of Charlie Kirk\u2019s Turning Point USA,is warning Senate Majority Leader John Thune that it will back a possible Republican primary challenger if the Senate does not pass the SAVE america Act. Tyler Bowyer, Turning Point Action\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/audit-michigan-may-have-paid-billions-in-fraudulent-jobless-claims-gretchen-whitmer-administration-hit-with-kickback-allegations\/\" title=\"Audit: Michigan May Have Paid Billions in &#039;Fraudulent&#039; Jobless Claims; Gretchen Whitmer Administration Hit with &#039;Kick...&#039; Allegations\">chief operating officer<\/a>, said the group will escalate pressure after setbacks on voter ID legislation.<\/p>\n<p>The threat comes amid frustration from President Donald Trump and allies after Republican opposition in Indiana to Trump\u2019s efforts to redraw the congressional map.Turning Point Action and allies poured major resources into Indiana primaries, helping drive defeats for multiple targeted GOP incumbents. Bowyer suggested the broader fight could extend beyond Indiana into Senate leadership dynamics if GOP priorities continue to stall, even arguing that another figure-Rick Scott-shoudl lead.<\/p>\n<p>Trump publicly criticized thune for failing to advance the SAVE America Act and eliminate the 60-vote filibuster threshold. However, a source close to Thune pushed back, arguing Thune already co-sponsors the bill and that the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >legislation lacks sufficient votes<\/a> to pass, pointing to earlier failed attempts even under reconciliation-related efforts. The source also cited Thune\u2019s leadership record and noted that prominent conservatives, including Sen. Mike Lee, have defended Thune and dismissed talk of any effort to remove him.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>Turning Point Action is escalating pressure on Senate Majority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\">John Thune (R-SD)<\/a>, warning it will back a primary challenger against him if the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/senate\/\" type=\"category\" id=\"84\">Senate<\/a> fails to pass the SAVE America Act.<\/p>\n<p>Tyler Bowyer, the chief operating officer of Turning Point Action, the 501(c)(4) political\u00a0arm of Charlie Kirk\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/turning-point-usa\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"2923\">Turning Point USA<\/a>, said the group is prepared to seek out a primary challenger to Thune if the voter ID legislation fails to pass the Senate. The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2026\/05\/06\/turning-point-usa-john-thune-indiana-redistricting-primary-trump\/\">news was<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2026\/05\/06\/turning-point-usa-john-thune-indiana-redistricting-primary-trump\/\"><\/a><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/dailycaller.com\/2026\/05\/06\/turning-point-usa-john-thune-indiana-redistricting-primary-trump\/\">reported <\/a>by the <em>Daily Caller.<\/em><\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4559408\/susan-collins-graham-platner-draw-battle-lines-maine-senate-race\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Results vs resistance: Collins and Platner draw battle lines in Maine Senate race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4559504\/tennessee-pass-new-map-democrat-protest-airhorn\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Tennessee passes new map as Democratic politicians protest with airhorns<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4558801\/pressure-brian-kemp-suspend-georgia-primary-redistricting\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Pressure mounts for Kemp to suspend primaries and take up redistricting<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>\u201cAmerica needs the Save America Act passed,\u201d Bowyer told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> in a text message<em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The warning comes after several Republican Indiana state senators voted against President Donald Trump\u2019s push to redraw the state\u2019s congressional map. In response, Turning Point Action and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clubforgrowth.org\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Club for Growth<\/a> pledged to back primary challengers against the lawmakers. On Tuesday, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4557093\/trump-indiana-trouble-massie-cassidy-election\/\">at least five of the seven targeted Republican incumbents <\/a>lost their races.<\/p>\n<p>Turning Point Action poured significant resources into Indiana\u2019s primary, sending a large field operation into the state and partnering with conservative activist Scott Presler to boost Republican turnout through rallies and grassroots organizing. According to <em>Politico<\/em>, the White House and allied groups invested nearly $10 million into the effort.<\/p>\n<p>Now, Turning Point Action is signaling the effort could expand beyond Indiana, with Bowyer arguing Republicans may need new leadership in the Senate if lawmakers fail to advance the party\u2019s priorities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRick Scott should be in charge,\u201d Bowyer said, invoking one of Thune\u2019s rivals for majority leader in 2024. <\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Thune on Tuesday over the Senate\u2019s failure to advance the SAVE America Act and abolish the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-gop-unveils-healthcare-bill-as-obamacare-subsidies-expiration-looms\/\" title=\"House GOP unveils healthcare bill as Obamacare subsidies expiration looms\">60-vote filibuster threshold needed<\/a> to move the legislation forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m disappointed. I like John a lot, but there\u2019s a couple of Republicans that are foolish people,\u201d Trump told reporters when asked about Senate leadership. \u201cA couple of them I like, a couple of them I can\u2019t stand.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Trump has intensified his calls in recent days for Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster and pass the SAVE America Act, which would require voter ID to cast a ballot and proof of citizenship to register to vote.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe should have the SAVE America Act,\u201d Trump said. \u201cWe should have voter identification, voter ID. We should have proof of citizenship. We should have mail-in voting for the military and people that need it, but not for everybody, because anytime you have mail-in voting, they\u2019re going to cheat. And they cheat like dogs, and they have to cheat.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A source familiar with Thune\u2019s thinking pushed back on the criticism, noting the majority leader is already a co-sponsor of the SAVE America Act and has long supported voter ID measures. The source argued the legislation simply does not have the votes to pass the Senate, pointing to a recent amendment vote tied to reconciliation that failed to secure even a simple majority.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4555530\/trump-disappointed-john-thune-filibuster-save-america-act\/\"><strong>TRUMP \u2018DISAPPOINTED\u2019 WITH THUNE FOR INACTION ON FILIBUSTER AND SAVE AMERICA ACT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The person also defended Thune\u2019s leadership record, citing the rapid confirmation of Trump\u2019s Cabinet nominees, changes to Senate rules to speed up confirmations, and passage of the GOP\u2019s domestic policy agenda and tax legislation earlier this year. The aide suggested conservative frustration over the SAVE America Act was misplaced and noted that even some of the bill\u2019s strongest supporters, including Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), have publicly praised Thune\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n<p>The aide also <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BasedMikeLee\/status\/2050039199567593889?s=20\">pointed to a recent post from Lee<\/a> dismissing speculation about a midterm effort to remove Thune. Lee argued Senate Republicans lack a formal procedure to replace their leader during a term and said the chances of the conference turning against Thune were \u201cliterally 0 in 100,000,\u201d underscoring the South Dakota Republican\u2019s standing within the caucus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Turning Point Action threatens Thune with a primary if SAVE America Act fails<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2600077,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26111732859482.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[6571,44946,5894,75195,73917],"class_list":["post-2600076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-elections","tag-john-thune","tag-politics","tag-save-america-act-2","tag-us-senate-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26111732859482.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600076","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2600076"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600076\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2600080,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600076\/revisions\/2600080"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2600077"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2600076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2600076"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2600076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}