Overview
- Last month President Trump told aides he did not "care about the midterms" and said he focuses on preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon rather than Americans' financial troubles, comments that set off weeks of internal GOP alarm.
- Polling from AtlasIntel last month shows Democrats leading the generic House ballot 55% to 40% and ahead on every major economic issue tested, underscoring Republican concern about voter reactions to higher costs.
- On June 9 NRCC chair Rep. Richard Hudson publicly called the president's remarks misinterpreted and said "President Trump cares deeply," delivering the latest partywide effort to soften the political damage.
- Hudson also shifted blame for recent redistricting fights to Democrats and defended mid-cycle map changes after the president pushed GOP-led states to redraw congressional lines.
- Party officials warn that higher prices tied to the Iran war and unaddressed cost-of-living concerns could cost Republicans control of Congress, so the NRCC is tightening messaging to try to limit losses and reassure voters.