GOP tightens messaging on Trump as midterms near

As two months remain before the midterms, a growing subset of Republican candidates are subtly distancing themselves from Donald Trump while most still embrace him to energize their bases. Examples include De La Cruz in Texas removing Trump-first language, Kentucky’s Ralph Alvarado dropping Trump imagery, and other candidates in Nevada and Alaska tweaking site messaging or focusing on independent leadership or policy differences. Analysts say there’s little upside to a full break with Trump, given his role as a key motivator, even as his unpopularity on issues like the economy, Iran, and inflation looms. Trump plans to headline the GOP convention, signaling the continued high-stakes dynamic of aligning with or steering away from the former president as voters begin to pay closer attention post-Labor Day.