Trump seen as growing political liability by Senate Republicans ahead of 2026 midterms: Report
Several Senate Republicans increasingly view President Donald Trump as a political liability ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, citing his repeated attacks on GOP lawmakers
Several Senate Republicans increasingly view President Donald Trump as a political liability ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, citing his repeated attacks on GOP lawmakers, insistence on pursuing controversial proposals and falling approval ratings, according to a report by The Hill. According to the report, Republican senators fear Trump's political standing could hurt the party's chances of retaining control of the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections. GOP senators worry about Trump's impact One unnamed Republican senator told the publication that concerns over Trump's declining approval ratings and their impact on congressional races are widely shared within the Senate GOP conference. "That's the perception in the room," the senator was quoted as saying. The report said even Republican incumbents in traditionally safe states such as Kansas and Nebraska are now viewed as potentially vulnerable. Criticism over 'anti-weaponization' fund Several Republican senators have also criticised Trump's refusal to abandon a proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, which was intended to compensate MAGA allies investigated or prosecuted during the Biden administration.
According to The Hill, senators feared the proposal would strengthen Democratic accusations that the Trump administration was engaging in political favouritism. North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis described the proposal as both "horrible policy" and "horrible politics". "I want this yoke off of the members who are up for election in November because there's no way to explain it," Tillis was quoted as saying. He argued the proposal would hand Democrats a potent campaign issue against Republican candidates. Justice Department rescinds fund order The report said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and the Justice Department rescinded the order establishing the fund after Tillis and Texas Sen. John Cornyn threatened to block Blanche's confirmation as attorney general. The Justice Department said Blanche had repeatedly informed Congress that the fund would not move forward. However, The Hill reported that Cornyn and Tillis claimed resistance from within the White House had delayed efforts to permanently eliminate the proposal.
Concerns over SAVE America Act Republican lawmakers also expressed concern over Trump's continued demand that the Senate pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act before the election. GOP senators believe the legislation has little chance of becoming law and warned that raising expectations among conservative voters could ultimately depress Republican turnout if the bill fails. Cornyn argued that the strategy risked "demoralizing" the Republican base. Also Read | Republicans reportedly weigh stopgap funding plan to avert shutdown Trump's criticism of Senate leadership The report said Republican senators have also become frustrated with Trump's increasingly public criticism of Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Trump recently questioned whether Thune should remain Republican leader and complained at a Georgia rally that the Senate "is a place you send things when you want them to die". White House defends Trump Responding to the criticism, White House spokesperson Olivia Wales defended the president's record and rejected suggestions that he was hurting Republican electoral prospects.
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