Flashing 'warning signs for GOP' as key Republicans revolt against Trump

Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Florida) sent shockwaves through the GOP when, this week, she posted a video warning him that his immigration policies are alienating a key voting bloc he made major gains with in 2024: Latinos. Many Trump allies are being dismissive of the video. But according to CNN's Kate Bolduan, frustrated Republicans are looking for ways to "put some distance" between themselves and Trump ahead of the midterms.

During a Friday morning conversation with Bolduan, her colleague Aleena Treene stressed that although Trump is "likely to dismiss these types of ads" from "certain Republicans," that doesn't erase Republicans' growing worries about the midterms.

"He's going to continue to argue he's doing a great job," Treene told Bolduan. "We just heard him do that the other night when he was in North Carolina. But for members of his political operation who are really running the entire strategy over how the White House is handling the midterms, this is a major concern, especially as they feel that they're already facing so many headwinds in this election already — some of them, of course, of their own making, particularly I mentioned the Iran war and the high gas prices that Americans are seeing across the country."

Treene continued, "But look, I've spoken with a number of the president's political advisers, as well as members of his own political operation, and they were frustrated, particularly with this ad that you just played of Maria Salazar, someone who the president helped get into office. She's a congresswoman from Florida, the president's own backyard, and (is) hitting him on an issue that they've always believed is very strong for him: immigration — and being very clear by standing in front of the White house while she delivered this critique of the president. That's something many people said is just not helpful at this point. "

Treene argued that Salazar's video is a major departure from the "iron grip" Trump has had on the GOP.

Treene told Bolduan, "You have not seen this type of criticism, really, from anyone close to him other than a couple, you know, random few people in Congress, people like the Republican Thomas Massie, but people who have always been loyal to the president that has shined through more than ever in his second term. So, the fact that they're starting to see the tide change is definitely concerning for people here who are close to the president, allies of him and his advisers. And it all comes, as I will say, they also recognize they have an enthusiasm problem."