President Donald Trump’s top political advisers inside and outside the White House met Tuesday to review polling, messaging, and strategy ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
Trump’s super PAC and the Republican National Committee have approximately $530 million available for campaign activities. Those overseeing Trump’s political operation are now deciding how, when, and where to spend the funds. The total does not include hundreds of millions held by Trump’s affiliated 501(c)(4) nonprofit, Securing American Greatness.
The meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., was the second session to coordinate Trump’s political operation with the RNC and GOP candidates. Trump did not attend, but top advisers present included pollster Tony Fabrizio, political operations chief James Blair, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, former campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita, and RNC chair Joe Gruters. Most Cabinet members also attended, except Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was in Manila on official business.
Republicans privately acknowledge that retaining control of the House will be challenging as Trump’s approval ratings decline amid higher gasoline prices and concerns over Iran.
Trump’s political advisers argue that Democrats remain vulnerable because many voters view the party as too liberal. They believe the midterm elections will be driven more by which party voters reject than by enthusiasm for either side.
Republicans have launched an unusual mid-decade redistricting effort that could add up to 10 GOP-held House seats, potentially strengthening the party’s chances of retaining its majority.
History presents a challenge for Trump: his party typically loses seats in midterm elections when it controls both the House and Senate, often enough to surrender at least one chamber.
Recent polls show many voters rate Trump poorly on economic issues and do not believe conditions are strong. “Voters feel that Trump’s economic policies have made things worse — because they have,” said Democrat pollster John Anzalone in a July 14 post on X, citing polling from The Wall Street Journal. He also shared an X post from economist Justin Wolfers noting, “US inflation is the highest in the G7.”
One Trump operative involved in Tuesday’s meeting stated: “The Trump tax cuts have saved people real money, and the president is keeping Americans safe. We have the manpower, the message, and the money to make that clear.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee has added seven Democrat-held districts to its midterm target list, bringing its total to 36 seats nationwide. The committee pointed to 23 Democrats running in districts Trump carried in 2024 as evidence the map favors Republicans.
The RNC closed June with $128.5 million on hand, a record for the party, after raising $16.7 million that month and posting its third straight month of record reserves.
