Republicans are gearing up to make President Donald Trump the fall guy as they brace for a wipeout in the upcoming midterm elections in November, according to a Fox News analysis.
Political analyst Mark Halperin wrote that GOP operatives have begun debating who would be responsible for what could be a disastrous election, with Halperin describing it as “the simplest argument is also the hardest to refute.”
"One man controls the party, and his name is Trump," he wrote in his Fox News opinion column.
He argued that the GOP losing at the polls will be an indictment of the president with his underwater approval ratings, economic policies, foreign-policy decisions, and inability to stay focused on the issues most important to voters. Advisers could leave Trump hanging in the cold by insisting they had little power to change his behavior.
Halperin described the dilemma facing Republicans as voters struggle with a higher cost of living while Trump focuses on White House renovations, foreign wars, all while his family business is raking in billions.
"A voter worried about groceries sees a president worried about building names," he wrote.
The analyst also pointed to Trump cheerleading for AI data centers, which he argued is alienating voters who are facing rising electricity bills. The ongoing conflict with Iran has also complicated the GOP's economic message, as most voters just want to pay their bills and are not invested in the war efforts.
Halperin predicted that Republican congressional leaders would not escape blame. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune could be accused of failing to deliver achievements voters can identify with and of having no legislative accomplishments to sell.
Party consultants are also likely to point fingers over messaging without having much to go with other than well-funded, played out attacks, Halperin argued. Candidates face a Trump gamble with staying too close or distancing themselves possible leading to their downfall.
A September Fox News poll put Trump's approval at 39%, while 61% disapproved. In the same survey, Democrats held a seven-point lead over Republicans on the generic congressional ballot.
All signs point to Republicans preparing for an increasingly difficult election despite their well-funded campaigns.
According to a report by the Washington Post on Thursday, groups that support the GOP are shifting their resources from races that had previously been seen as winnable to those aimed at protecting seats that are currently held by Republicans. Part of this shift involves attempting to strengthen the positions in states that Trump won comfortably in 2024.
At the same time, Axios stated on Wednesday that House Republicans are currently looking at the possibility of making leadership changes should they lose their majority. Johnson has indicated he may want to stay as head of the conference, which could spark a contest between Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan.
A Republican told Axios that members of Congress were competing for the minority leader position before Election Day.
Halperin warned that the Democrats might also rebel against their own leaders if their performance does not meet expectations. However, he stated that Trump's control of the Republican Party made him the most obvious person to be targeted if a feared Republican defeat occurs.
