In a recent viral video, Trump criticized Senate Majority Leader John Thune (SD-R) for stalling the SAVE America Act, calling it the most popular bill ever with provisions for voter ID, citizenship proof, restricted mail-in ballots, banning men in women’s sports, and prohibiting transgender “mutilation” for children. He urged adding these “best of Trump” elements to ensure GOP midterm victories by preventing cheating and meeting public demand.
For context, as of March 2026, the House-passed bill faces a Senate filibuster, needing 60 votes. Thune scheduled a debate and vote amid threats from President Trump and a slew of calls from irate MAGA voters for new leadership, though passage remains somewhat unlikely, as of now.
In any case, the clip began with a reporter asking the President a burning question about both the SAVE America Act itself and Sen. Thune’s qualities as a leader. “Do you think that leader Thune can accomplish that? Do you think the Senate needs a new leader?” the journalist asked.
Responding, President Trump stated, “Well, it’s certainly a very popular thing. I don’t think there’s ever been a bill that’s more popular than to save America. It’s voter ID, it’s proof of citizenship. It’s things that are so popular, no men and women’s sports, no transgender utilization of our children, so many different things.”
Building on this point, he added, “It’s so good. No, no running around with the mail in ballot nonsense that’s gone on for so long that no other country does, no other country we’re going to clean up our elections. I don’t think I’ve ever been involved in anything that’s had the support of the SAVE AMERICA Act. So we’ll see what happened.”
Posting the clip, a prominent conservative account stated, “Trump slams RINO Thune: ‘No bill more popular than SAVE America Act!” Senate needs new leadership NOW to pass Voter ID and stop fraud. Thune blocking – primary him out! 💥🇺🇸 #MAGA”
Watch the clip here:
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Speaking to Republican lawmakers at the Republican Members’ Issues Conference, the president made several similar points. “All voters must show — the Act, voter ID. … No mail in ballots except for illness, disability, military or travel. … Then I added two more. These are best of, you know, best of. These are called best of Trump,” Trump vowed.
Building on this point, the president noted, “We should also add on to this bill. … no men in women’s sports. … no transgender mutilation of our children. … those five things, five things, voter ID, citizenship, mail-in ballots, no mail-in ballots, right? We don’t want men playing in women’s sports. … no transgender mutilation of our children.”
Setting the stage for the midterms, he asserted, “It’ll guarantee the midterms. It’ll guarantee the midterms. If you don’t get it, big trouble. … Number one, they won’t be able to cheat. And number two, the people are demanding it. … you’ll win the midterms at levels that you can’t even believe.”
“And you’re going to win every election for a long time until somebody really screws things up,” he concluded, “These are called ‘best of Trump.’ We should also add on to this bill. And so what I’ve asked Mike to do is to draw a new one with these few things added, and let’s go for the gold. Let’s not just get one, like voter ID. … This is the No. 1 priority.”
Featured image from embedded video