A simple question about the reason for opposing the SAVE America Act sparked an epic confrontation between U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and independent journalist Sara Gonzales.
Gonzales, host of “Sara Gonzales Unfiltered,” tracked down the senator on Capitol Hill, and posted video Tuesday of their discussion, saying: “I asked Senator Thom Tillis about his vote against the Save America Act and whether it has anything to do with the money he’s receiving from industries who profit off of cheap illegal labor.
“He was VERY mad about the question. We deserve better than these America Last losers!”
Here is a partial transcript of their back-and-forth:
GONZALES: “Senator, you’ve received almost $700,000 from the illegal labor lobby. Is that why you voted against the SAVE America Act?”
TILLIS: “Can you tell me who the illegal labor lobby is?”
GONZALES: “Yes, it’s contractors, general contractors, hospitality companies, industries, construction companies and industries.”
TILLIS: “Which SAVE America Act are you talking about?”
GONZALES: “The one that you voted against, sir.” …
TILLIS: “Do you have any idea what a remarkably silly question that is?”
GONZALES: “I think it’s a pretty important one. I think your constituents want to know why you’re betraying them.”
TILLIS: “Why don’t you do some math? Do you know what my election cycle, the total all-in election-cycle cost was in 2020? It’s $300 million. Do you honestly believe that I would make a policy decision based on that?”
GONZALES: “I don’t know why you’re betraying your constituents.”
TILLIS: “Who do you work for?”
GONZALES: “I’m independent.”
TILLIS: “OK.”
GONZALES: “Why are you betraying your constituents, senator?”
TILLIS: “Good luck on the clicks.”
GONZALES: “We just want secure elections, senator. You’re preventing us from getting that. You’re betraying America!”
TILLIS: “Uh, good luck on your job!”
GONZALES: “Good luck on yours!”
WATCH:
I asked Senator Thom Tillis about his vote against the Save America act and whether it has anything to do with the money he’s receiving from industries who profit off of cheap illegal labor.
He was VERY mad about the question.
We deserve better than these America Last losers! pic.twitter.com/v9zQgzQGq7
— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) July 14, 2026
After the senator escaped the journalist onto an elevator, Gonzales continued recording herself, opining: “What a strange thing for Sen. Tillis to say: $700,000 is not enough. He’s a sellout, but not that amount because he receives $300 million.
“If I were an honest person and I were answering that question, I would just say, ‘I don’t sell out to anyone. I don’t sell out for any amount of money.’ But Thom Tillis? Thom Tillis says he sells out – but not for that amount.”
Follow Joe on X @JoeKovacsNews
WATCH: Top Democrat says the quiet part out loud about the SAVE America Act
