President Donald Trump is facing a midterm election season in which he’s very unpopular and a possible wipeout that could cost the GOP one or both houses of Congress.
As a result, a new report says some candidates are reluctant to campaign with the president.
Politico reported this week that Trump “wants to be heavily involved in Republicans’ midterm push,” but that the candidates themselves sometimes feel differently.
‘We’ve told them he cannot come’: Republicans grapple with how to handle Trump on the trail https://t.co/k9UORjcIzi
— POLITICO (@politico) September 4, 2026
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“Many Republicans facing tough elections — even in areas the president carried by double digits in 2024 — are wary of tying themselves too closely to Trump as his approval rating continues to drag,” the Politico story said.
It puts those candidates in a difficult position. Four Republican operatives told Politico that candidates have quietly told Trump’s operation they don’t want to campaign with him.
“Many privately admit they’re stuck in an uncomfortable spot: By running too far from Trump, Republicans risk alienating the MAGA faithful or the president himself, whose super PAC is sitting on more than $400 million they desperately need deployed to help them win key races,” the report said. “But if the candidates keep Trump close, they could be dragged down by the president, as the unpopular war in Iran has increased costs for Americans across the country.”
“We’ve told them he cannot come,” one senior Republican official in a competitive house race told Politico. “Candidly, he would not be helpful here … I do not believe they would send him without our OK. And if they did, we probably wouldn’t campaign with him.”
One Republican, Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), was asked directly about his plans.
“Listen, you know, I’m very happy with our campaign and the things that we’re doing,” Whittman told Politico. “Very confident with our conversations with the voters. I think we’ve got a great campaign plan, and we’re laser-focused on communicating with our constituents and talking about issues that are important to them.”
Therefore, Trump will likely focus on redder states.
“Trump is still the most powerful turnout motivator for low-propensity Republicans or Trump Republicans, and so I think campaigns will and should use him and his brand in targeted ways like mail, digital, or text,” one GOP operative told Politico. “But I’m not going to try to bring him to town if he’s underwater and it’s going to hurt us with a majority of voters.”
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
