Cornyn, Cassidy ousters prompt fears of Trump 'revenge tour' in 2028

Trump himself will likely not be seeking elected office in 2028, but could work to leave his successor with a more MAGA-friendly upper chamber by primarying his main opponents on the way out.

Published: May 27, 2026 4:24pm

President Donald Trump's endorsement of successful primary challengers to two incumbent senators this cycle has some of the upper chamber fearing he may continue his efforts to reshape the Senate in 2028.

Trump, this cycle, endorsed Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., against Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Both Cassidy and Cornyn ultimately lost their primaries. The double loss of two senior Republicans is an unusual situation for Senate leadership and some could appear on Trump's chopping block in 2028.

Politico reported that the White House was mulling an expansion of the president's "revenge tour" and was considering challenges to Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Rand Paul, R-Ky.; and Todd Young, R-Ind.; all of whom face reelection in 2028 and have broken with Trump on some key issues.

The Senate will almost certainly become more pro-Trump in 2027, due to the defeats of Cornyn and Cassidy, but also because of the retirements of Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.

Trump himself will likely not be seeking elected office in 2028, but could work to leave his successor with a more MAGA-friendly upper chamber by primarying his main opponents on the way out.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., another retiring Trump critic, said recently that he could see some of his colleagues retiring rather than face a Trump-backed challenger, but no senator has indicated such plans as of press time.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.

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