Trump’s calculated primaries reshape the GOP battlefield
Trump has become unusually interventionist in GOP primaries, endorsing roughly 95% of House incumbents and a large share of Senate hopefuls to steer nominations toward candidates he deems more electable, and even pressuring some rivals to drop out or switch endorsements. The tactic aims to protect governing majorities and improve general-election viability, but it has sparked friction with MAGA supporters and occasional pushback, plus moments of restraint (such as staying out of Texas’ Senate contest) that illustrate a delicate balance between influence and leverage.