GOP Strategists Warn Trump Hurting Party's Midterm Chances
Republican candidates are breaking with President Trump ahead of November midterms as his approval sinks and pre-election policy proposals draw little support from voters or his own party.
- 50% of respondents in one poll strongly disapprove of Trump's performance.
- Only 13% of voters believe Trump intends to deliver the $5,000 checks.
- Diesel prices are averaging more than $6.50 per gallon, a record high.
- The Senate Leadership Fund raised its Texas investment to $100 million.
Why it matters: Republican candidates in swing states and even some red states are creating distance from Trump on the economy, the Iran conflict, and immigration. One GOP operative, when asked how to turn things around, told CNN: "Go back in time and never start the war with Iran."
- Trump advisers privately concede they cannot win back the independents who backed him in 2024.
- A Trump campaign official told CNN that heavy Trump presence on the ballot "could ultimately serve as a bigger driving force for Democratic voters who hate him."
How 16 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage does not split on facts; all reporting draws from the same assessments of GOP vulnerability.
Left coverage, 12 sources: The left frames Trump's pre-election proposals as cynical, ineffective gimmicks that reveal a president who cannot reverse damage caused by his own policies — and who is actively undercutting Republicans trying to survive the cycle.
MSNBC16hTrump’s gimmicks aren’t working with voters anymoreDKDaily Kos2hGOP strategist says Trump should hide until midterms are over
AlterNet3hHumiliated by the bleeding: The real reason Trump's hiding in safe red statesCleCleveland.com3hTrump sees a 40-point shift among crucial voting group before midterms: CNN expert
Mediaite4hTrump Adviser Says Midterms Are ‘Obviously Going To Be F***ing Rough’ for RepublicansMMMedia Matters6h"Psyop": The right-wing media figures claiming that midterm polls are designed to suppress conservative turnout
Raw Story4hDems zero in on one word that could sink GOP's midterm attacks: 'A real opportunity'PRPalmer Report13hDonald Trump’s midterm bribery scheme crashes and burns
Political Wire3hRepublicans Face a Turnout Problem
Salon5hGOP has a “Nazi” problem, Karl Rove says
Talking Points Memo5hVulnerable GOPer Breaks With Trump’s Retribution Crusade Against Blue States
The New York Times11hTrump’s Most Durable Lie: Election Rigging
What’s next: Trump's team plans to put him on the road nearly every day in October, focused on conservative areas.
- A proposed diesel export ban faces opposition from business groups and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
- Whether Trump's October rallies raise base turnout enough to offset losses among independents.
- Whether the Iran conflict ends or escalates before Election Day, and what effect either outcome has on Republican candidates.
- Whether any Republican candidates who distanced themselves from Trump can survive both his public backlash and voter anger at the party.