The Memo: GOP sees risks in Trump’s midterm strategy of focusing on himself

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Today's Top Stories - August 28, 2026

Today's Top Stories - August 28, 2026

President Trump is likely to make the GOP’s midterm campaign partly about himself — and that’s a risky strategy, as even some in his party acknowledge.

Trump’s efforts go beyond the standard, campaign-trail appearances he is making on behalf of Republican candidates. 

According to a Tuesday report from The Atlantic, the president has proposed to use at least some of the $400 million that his main super PAC has at its disposal to try to rebut attacks and instead “lean into the Democratic strategy of focusing on himself.” 

The magazine further reported: “The president ordered a series of television advertisements about his own record that will serve as a backdrop to the hundreds of individual House and Senate contests.”

On one hand, the general approach is not that unusual. Like most modern presidents, Trump is plainly of the belief that he does not get enough credit for his accomplishments. It stands to reason that he would use some money raised by his organization to defend himself on that score.

On the other hand, there are very obvious dangers in tying Republican candidates in competitive states and districts to an unpopular president. 

According to The Hill’s data and polling partner Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ), Trump’s job performance elicits disapproval from roughly 58 percent of Americans and approval from just 39 percent. 

His approval ratings on some of the key issues facing voters are even worse. 

According........

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