As Midterms Approach, Republicans Find There Is No Escape From Trump
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-09-06 04:04:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump Makes Himself the Centerpiece of GOP’s Struggle for Congress, Prioritizes Self-Promotion Over Party Needs
President Trump has made clear he intends to be the face of the Republican Party’s uphill fight to retain control of Congress, telling a group of vulnerable House Republicans at a White House Rose Garden dinner that he is with them “100 percent — all the way until November.” Trump also pledged to travel to 35 key districts “to see if we can get everyone elected.”
Despite these assurances, Trump’s actions and messaging suggest his focus remains on self-promotion rather than the broader needs of the party. As Republicans attempt to distance themselves from some of Trump’s unpopular decisions, he is headlining a high-profile convention in Dallas and has publicly stated that voters should “pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot.” The president’s first post-Labor Day television ad, paid for by his political team, highlighted him as “the toughest, most resilient person,” omitting any mention of Republican candidates, the midterm elections, or Democrats.
Trump has also drawn attention to his control over nearly $1 billion in political action committee funds, telling reporters, “This is my money that I control,” and suggesting he would spend between $400 million and $500 million on “Republicans that I think are good.” However, aside from a recent expenditure to defend a Senate seat in Texas, Republicans have received little information about when or where the rest of the money will be spent.
The president’s approach has left many Republicans in a difficult position. They rely on Trump’s fundraising prowess and the enthusiasm of his base but are wary of making the election a referendum on a president whose popularity is at a record low. Some candidates have even tried to distance themselves from Trump, scrubbing his endorsements from their campaign materials or highlighting moments of disagreement. Yet, Trump has made it clear he expects loyalty, and history shows he has celebrated the defeat of Republicans who have criticized him.
Trump’s insistence on making himself the focal point of the midterms, combined with his reluctance to share resources and his ongoing promotion of false claims about American elections, has created tension within the party. As the midterms approach, Republicans face the challenge of navigating Trump’s dominance while trying to appeal to swing voters and maintain control of Congress.
Conclusion
President Trump’s strategy for the midterms centers on elevating his own profile and maintaining control over party resources, often at the expense of broader Republican interests. His actions and rhetoric continue to shape the party’s fortunes, leaving GOP candidates with little room to maneuver and raising questions about the party’s ability to distance itself from his polarizing leadership.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/us/politics/trump-miderm-elections-republicans.html