Midterm Anxiety Drives GOP Candidates to Defect from Trump in Red States
With six weeks until the 2026 midterms, a growing number of Republican candidates are publicly distancing themselves from President Donald Trump to protect their seats. This shift, occurring even in states Trump won by double-digit margins in 2024, is driven by his plummeting approval ratings and unpopular policies, particularly the Iran war and immigration enforcement. While the White House insists Trump remains the party's best motivator, candidates in vulnerable races are prioritizing electoral survival over loyalty, signaling a potential fracture in the GOP's traditional unity.
