Former President Donald Trump visited a Ford manufacturing plant in Dearborn, Michigan, on January 13, 2026, appearing in public as part of his ongoing political activity and outreach to American manufacturing workers. Not long after that visit, however, attention shifted away from the factory tour and toward a heated late-night social media post that caused widespread concern and criticism.
Late Saturday night, at around 10:26 p.m. local time, Trump posted a strongly worded message on his Truth Social platform. In the post, he directly targeted Rodric Bray, a Republican lawmaker who serves as the Indiana State Senate Majority Leader. The message stood out because of how aggressive and personal it was, especially since it was aimed at someone from Trump’s own party rather than a Democrat.
Trump’s anger appeared to stem from a political dispute over redistricting. He had been pushing hard for Indiana Republicans to take part in a mid-cycle redistricting effort, which would redraw political boundaries outside the normal census schedule. Bray and other Indiana Republican leaders refused to go along with this plan, standing their ground despite pressure from Trump and his allies. Their refusal was seen as an act of independence, but Trump viewed it as a betrayal.
Earlier that same day, Vice President J.D. Vance had also criticized Bray, accusing him of unfair behavior, which had already triggered pushback from other Republicans and political observers. Trump’s post came shortly after that controversy and greatly escalated the situation. In his message, Trump claimed he had spoken with David McIntosh, the head of the conservative advocacy group Club for Growth, and said they had agreed to work together to remove Bray from his leadership role or defeat him politically.
Trump accused Bray of being disloyal to the Republican Party, to Trump himself, and to supporters of the “Make America Great Again” movement. He used the term “RINO,” short for “Republican In Name Only,” a label Trump often uses to attack Republicans who disagree with him or refuse to follow his lead. The tone of the message was especially alarming to many because Trump did not just criticize Bray’s actions or policies, but appeared to threaten an all-out campaign against him personally.
The post ended with language that many people interpreted as menacing, suggesting that Bray would be targeted in an unprecedented way. Critics said the message crossed a line by sounding more like a threat than a political statement. Supporters of Bray and other observers expressed concern about the growing hostility within the Republican Party and the pressure placed on lawmakers who choose not to follow Trump’s demands.
Overall, the incident highlighted ongoing divisions within the Republican Party, showing how disagreements over power, loyalty, and control continue to play out publicly. It also raised questions about the tone of political discourse and how influential figures use social media to attack even their own allies when they refuse to comply.
