Trump aide predicts difficult midterms for Republicans
An unnamed Trump adviser told CNN that the 2024 midterm elections are likely to be very challenging for the GOP, while the White House continues to promote the president's central role in the campaign.
An adviser to President Donald Trump told CNN that the upcoming midterm elections are expected to be extremely difficult for Republican candidates, suggesting the best outcome would mirror the 2022 results in which Democrats retained Senate control while losing the House. The aide said the mood among Trump’s inner circle has soured over the party’s prospects for the November 3 vote, with few expecting the president to sway swing voters or independents.
Trump has urged his supporters to treat the midterms as a referendum on his administration and has continued to promote a positive outlook for the economy in a series of taxpayer-funded public service announcements, despite polling that shows high disapproval of his handling of the economy and foreign policy. CNN data analyst Harry Enten cited a 50 percent job-approval rating for Trump, rising to 56 percent disapproval among independents.
Republican candidates have begun to limit Trump’s presence in campaign advertising and events, a move a GOP official described as a pragmatic response to the “turnout game” while acknowledging the risk of energizing Democratic voters. Campaign staff said they plan a data-driven effort to send Trump and Vice President JD Vance to key battleground states throughout October, beginning with events in Alabama and Oklahoma.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle defended the president’s role, saying Trump has built “one of the most robust coalitions in political history” and remains the party’s “unequivocal leader, best messenger, and unmatched motivator.” The White House did not provide further comment.
When asked how the GOP could improve its chances, a campaign operative replied that avoiding the war with Iran would have been preferable.