Even MAGA Republicans say party is toast after seeing national Trump ad

President Donald Trump's political organization launched two national ads promoting himself and the administration as part of his effort to help Republicans win the 2026 midterm election. But even Republicans agree that if this is the way Trump intends to help, the GOP "is so screwed."

New York Times reporter Teddy Schleifer posted the videos to X with comments about Trump being a "fighter" and an "inspiration." There's B-roll showing an American flag waving over a farm and a white family with two children holding hands. Footage shows Trump touring a company with men wearing hard hats and also several shots of Trump's new Air Force One plane that was a gift from Qatar. One video is from Trump's press conference showing off the plane, which is where "inspiration" appears across the screen. The second appears to show footage of a flyover by the Qatari plane in South Dakota.

"And our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free," Trump's voice is heard saying as the Statue of Liberty appears on screen.

The second ad argues that Trump is making America more affordable with his "no tax on tips" policy up to $25,000. He celebrates his "no tax on overtime up to $12,500," and "no tax on Social Security" for those making less than $25,000 annually.

Trump then cheers that he was able to reduce the price of eggs, which has dropped after the avian flu crisis ended in 2025. Other groceries remain up across the board as does fuel.

Conservative Erick Erickson wasn't impressed by what he saw.

"The GOP is so screwed in November if this is how the president spends his money," he wrote on X.

One of the "Pod Save America" hosts, Dan Pfeiffer, similarly pointed to the ad's obvious flaws. "Not a single mention of anything Trump has done to help anyone. This ad could not be more out of touch with the political moment."

CNN commentator and old-school strategist David Axelrod commented, "Maybe they think this will animate their base and soften discontent but if the @GOP spends its money trying to assuage the @POTUS 's ego, they are going to crash and burn this fall."

"Which GOP candidate is this supposed to help, again?" said former Republican Party chairman, Michael Steele.

"Feels like a reelect ad on Earth 3 and it has nothing about why voters in 2026 should vote GOP. Did they make an ad simply persuade the guy who sits behind the Resolute desk? This also feels like an ad Grok would have made," said former MSNBC host Chuck Todd.

"The first ad appears to be about boosting Trump's numbers more than helping any vulnerable Republicans win races," said Annie Karni, New York Times congressional correspondent.

Freelancer Nick Field questioned the ad, noting, "This one doesn't even bother to claim one accomplishment."

Todd said about the second ad, "This is a better effort by the Trump team but it still is using the party’s most unpopular person as the star of the ad."