Trump says voter anger is aimed at GOP, not him, ahead of 2026 midterms
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In a Friday interview, President Donald Trump asserted that voter frustration is directed at the Republican Party rather than himself and pledged his MAGA Inc. super PAC to support GOP candidates in the 2026 midterms.
President Donald Trump told Punchbowl News that he believes voters’ dissatisfaction is aimed at the Republican Party as a whole, not at him personally, as the GOP trails Democrats in recent polls ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. He noted, "The question is will they vote? ‘Cause a lot of them are very angry at Republicans to be honest with you," and added, "They’re not angry at me, but they are angry at Republicans."
A CNN-SSRS poll released last month showed Democrats leading the generic congressional ballot by eight points among registered voters, with a 20-point advantage in enthusiasm among highly motivated voters. The same poll indicated that 63% of Americans think the GOP is not focusing enough on cost-of-living issues, compared with 52% who say the same about Democrats.
Trump defended his lack of a campaign schedule, saying he does not need to travel for speeches because he is not on the ballot. He emphasized his role in supporting Republican candidates through his super PAC, MAGA Inc., which holds a $400 million war chest. "I’m going to help Republicans," he said, adding that he can allocate the PAC’s funds as he sees fit.
The president also declined to endorse Senate Majority Leader John Thune for another term, describing their relationship as having "disagreements" and noting his frustration over the failure to pass the "SAVE America Act" and eliminate the filibuster. In contrast, Trump praised House Speaker Mike Johnson as a "fantastic person."
Trump’s comments come as GOP leaders grapple with declining poll numbers and internal tensions, while his political operation, including aides such as James Blair, prepares to deploy financial resources to bolster Republican candidates in the upcoming elections.