Play store
Republicans are increasingly banking on President Donald Trump to help the party retain control of Congress in the upcoming US midterm elections, despite concerns over his declining approval ratings and growing voter dissatisfaction.
At a Republican convention in Dallas, Trump placed himself at the centre of the party’s campaign, urging voters to treat the November 3 elections as if he were personally on the ballot.
He also warned that Republican losses could weaken his presidency and limit his ability to advance his agenda.
The Republican Party faces a difficult electoral landscape, with Democrats mounting strong challenges in several key Senate races.
Republicans are also confronting concerns over inflation, rising fuel prices and the political fallout from the ongoing Iran war.
Despite these challenges, Trump remains the dominant figure in the Republican Party. His political network has stepped up spending in battleground races, with a Trump-affiliated political action committee reserving more than $74 million in television advertising.
Trump has indicated that he could spend as much as $500 million to support Republican candidates.
Trump has also promised a $5,000 “dividend” to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress, though the proposal would require congressional approval and has drawn criticism over its cost and feasibility.
The midterms are therefore shaping up as a major test of whether Trump can once again translate his personal popularity among the Republican base into electoral gains—or whether his political liabilities will cost the GOP seats in Congress.
