Senior Republican lawmakers and strategists are expressing growing concern that former President Donald Trump’s continued prominence in the 2024 midterm elections may be harming the party’s prospects, as his approval ratings hit new lows with less than two months remaining before the November vote.

The unease among Republicans comes amid challenging electoral conditions, with the party struggling to maintain control of Congress. Trump’s dismissive remarks on pressing voter issues such as inflation, the ongoing six-month conflict between Iran and Israel, and opposition to new artificial intelligence data centers have added to internal tensions within the GOP.

At a two-day Republican convention in Dallas this week, Trump is expected to attempt to unify the party, but several lawmakers facing tight races have opted not to attend, fearing association with the former president could imperil their campaigns. “Members are going back to their districts each week, confronting concerns about affordability and inflation, and you have Trump openly dismissing those affordability concerns,” said Kevin Madden, a GOP strategist.

Republican operatives describe the party as caught in a difficult position: having aligned closely with Trump’s agenda, they find themselves vulnerable to the fallout from his declining popularity, yet have limited means to curb his influence. “He’s his own favorite topic and they can’t really do anything about it because of how he is,” said Doug Heye, a former party official.

Trump’s downplaying of the protracted Iran conflict as “small potatoes” has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers in competitive districts. Mike Lawler, a Republican representative campaigning in northern New York suburbs, characterized the war as serious and said Trump’s comments forced Republicans to distance themselves. Additionally, Trump has confronted growing voter opposition to the expansion of AI data centers, which some Republicans have aired concerns about. He warned that rejecting data centers would lead to increased poverty and crime.

A recent NBC News poll indicated that 69% of Americans oppose data centers in their communities, highlighting the political sensitivity of the issue in certain races. Inflation remains another voter concern, with many complaining that Trump failed to deliver on his 2022 campaign promise to curb rising prices. The president’s decision to launch military action overseas contrasts with his previous pledges to limit such interventions.

Political forecasters have largely predicted gains for Democrats in Congress, with increases in both the House and Senate expected, reflecting broader unease over Trump’s influence. Veteran analyst Charlie Cook has noted that the cumulative impact of Trump’s second-term controversies rivals, if not exceeds, those of recent presidents.

Despite these challenges, some within the party dismiss notions of division, asserting GOP candidates largely support Trump’s agenda. However, frustration around campaign financing has also surfaced, as Trump has only recently begun deploying funds from the $400 million war chest accumulated by his affiliated super PAC, Mana Ig. Although the group recently pledged $10 million to support Ken Paxton, a Republican Senate candidate aligned with Trump, many candidates remain uncertain about the timing and extent of financial assistance.

Strategists caution that Trump’s financial support will likely be reserved for loyalists, increasing risks for Republicans who criticize him. Several incumbent GOP members, including Zach Nunn of Iowa, David Valadao of California, and Tom Barrett of Michigan, have chosen not to participate in the Dallas convention, concerned about the optics of closely linking to Trump.

As the midterms approach, Republicans are focusing on increasing voter turnout and framing Democrats as too far left, particularly after progressive candidates scored significant primary wins this year. Party officials emphasize Trump’s continued ability to energize a core segment of the GOP base. A White House spokesperson characterized Trump as “the most popular and admired Republican president” and “the unequivocal leader” who remains vital for motivating turnout.

Still, many Republicans remain defensive, acknowledging widespread voter dissatisfaction with Trump’s persona. “Swing voters, especially, don’t like Trump’s personal aggrandizement,” said John Feehery, a Republican strategist. The party’s struggle to balance Trump’s influence with broader electoral appeal will be a defining feature of the final campaign stretch ahead of November.