John Thune and Mitch McConnell blocked Donald Trump's legislative agenda.

Posted by The Kuhner Report, Oct 26, 2026Checked Nov 2, 2026

Polygraph verdictMixed

Sources: 3 contradict2 support1 context
Said: 1 time·
Confidence: 55%

The Kuhner ReportOct 26, 2026

Sources support that Thune blocked Trump's SAVE America Act by refusing to end the filibuster, but they contradict the broader claim that he blocked the president's legislative agenda, since the Senate under Thune passed much of it. No source shows McConnell, who is no longer majority leader and was largely absent, blocking Trump's agenda in 2026.

What was said

… So, you know, I to me, I'm a big supporter of this president. However, I have to acknowledge reality: he did not deliver. Now, part of it was the Congress, rhinos like Thune blocked him, McConnell. He had weak support from Mike Johnson. I'm not sort of exculpating the president; he's still the president, and I think he should have leaned on both Johnson and Thune much, much harder than he did, but he got a lot of resistance from the Republican …

The Kuhner Report · Oct 26, 2026· from the transcriptPost →

What we found

Contradicts. CBS reports that under Thune the Senate approved the president's major tax, border security and defense agenda, so the claim that Thune blocked the agenda as a whole is overstated.[2]

Contradicts. No source describes McConnell blocking Trump's agenda in 2026; he had been replaced as majority leader by Thune and McConnell praised Thune's work, though one report notes his prolonged absence from the Senate.[3][4]

Supports. Thune supports the SAVE America Act but refused Trump's demands to end the filibuster, so the bill failed; some on the right blame him for the failure.[1][5]

Context. Trump's frustration with Thune centers on the SAVE America Act and the filibuster, not the whole agenda; Trump said Thune is 'trying hard.'[4][6]