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House Republicans are reportedly in “triage mode” heading into the 2026 midterm elections, according to a new report.
Republicans have reportedly become fearful of their chances in the midterms as President Donald Trump’s approval rating has been consistently and historically low heading into election season, according to CNN. Recent Associated Press polling shows Trump with a 69 percent disapproval rating.
As a result, some Republicans have shifted their focus from gaining power in Congress to mitigating the damage they expect to see this November.
Part of the alleged “triage mode” involves Republicans moving money away from races that they view as difficult to win, according to the report.
Among those seats that might be subject to abandonment are reportedly races against Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks in Iowa and Tom Kean in New Jersey, as well as an open seat in Nebraska.
Republicans are reportedly in ‘triage mode’ and are hoping to mitigate Democratic gains in Congress after seeing President Donald Trump’s historically low approval rating just weeks before the 2026 midterm elections (AFP/Getty)
A day before CNN’s report, Semafor reported that the GOP-backing Senate Leadership Fund is stopping a $30 million ad campaign meant to back Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley in North Carolina and moving that money to Senator Roger Marshall’s re-election campaign in Kansas.
Republicans are also reportedly putting significant funding into newly redrawn districts in both Texas and Florida, which could help mitigate other losses, according to an anonymous GOP leadership aide who spoke to CNN.
“At the end of the day, redistricting could be the lifesaver either way – either minimizing the losses or the reason we potentially hold onto the majority,” the aide reportedly said.
Despite the gloom and doom reportedly being felt among GOP congressional leadership, House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he is “absolutely still convinced” that Republicans will retain control of the House.
Republicans speaking with CNN were apparently less confident, telling CNN’s Sarah Ferris and David Wright that they’re focused on minimizing Democrats’ potential majority. Multiple sources told CNN they hoped to hold Democrats’ advantage down to about 10 seats or fewer.
“They [said] their strategy is now focused on how to limit Democrats to the slimmest majority possible,” according to the report.
Even Trump has voiced some concern ahead of these midterms. He has twice promised Americans $5,000 checks if Republicans come out ahead during these elections; however, many people-including some Republicans-are skeptical he will follow through on this promise.
During a rally in Oklahoma on Thursday, Trump told supporters he was worried about races happening in Michigan, Texas and elsewhere.
“We’re worried about Michigan. We’re worried about Texas. We’re worried about a few states,” Trump said during his address.
He mentioned his concerns extended across around 35 or 40 races.
“But we have to get word out because we have win those 35-maybe you could even say 40 places; 40 races,” Trump stated while emphasizing their importance.
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