President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with senior aides and political operatives over the Republican Party’s faltering midterm election strategy as the November 3 vote approaches. Although Trump is not on the ballot, he has encouraged supporters to vote as if he were a candidate, aiming to boost turnout among his base amid concerns about Republican prospects.
Sources familiar with internal discussions report that much of the tension centers on James Blair, who manages Trump’s super PAC MAGA Inc, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Trump has criticized Blair’s handling of campaign funds, while some White House officials have raised questions about Wiles’ oversight of the political effort. Advisers appear to be in conflict, with Wiles attributing problems to Blair, and Blair pointing to the White House legislative affairs team. One source described the situation as a “circular firing squad.”
Polls suggest Democrats are likely to regain control of the House of Representatives, though the Senate remains competitive. Losing the House would limit Trump’s ability to advance his agenda during the final two years of his presidency and grant Democrats enhanced powers to investigate his administration. The White House has dismissed reports of internal strife, with spokesman Davis Ingle calling them “baseless speculation.”
Trump has a history of deflecting responsibility for political setbacks. After the 2020 election, he refused to concede defeat, and ahead of the 2022 midterms, he took credit if Republicans succeeded but declined blame for losses. More recently, he has reminded supporters of the conventional wisdom that the president’s party often struggles in midterms. However, Trump also played a key role in shaping the current strategy, including pushing redistricting efforts and candidate selections influenced by personal loyalties and rivalries.
The president’s approval rating has dropped to the lowest level of his term, affected by voter concerns over inflation and the ongoing war in Iran. His frustration surfaced publicly after Blair and Chris LaCivita, co-managers of Trump’s 2024 campaign, traveled to Republika Srpska, a self-governing region in Bosnia, in early October. Reports indicated they were paid substantial sums to advise the local government ahead of its elections. Trump distanced himself from both men, describing them as “outside consultants” and warning on social media that any conflicts of interest would result in immediate termination.
Senior officials questioned why Blair engaged in lucrative work abroad during a critical phase of the Republican campaign. Sources indicated that White House chief of staff Wiles approved the trip without informing Trump, raising concerns about her management. For Trump, Blair’s outside activities are seen as a distraction from core political responsibilities.
Blair dismissed the criticism as “ridiculous and counterproductive,” emphasizing his focus on helping Republicans win the forthcoming midterms. LaCivita similarly defended the team’s commitment to the campaign and rejected critiques from unnamed sources.
Despite MAGA Inc having reportedly spent around $200 million on campaign efforts, Trump has questioned why key Republican polling numbers have not improved and is uncertain whether he will authorize further spending. He has also demanded explanations from aides regarding why redistricting efforts, which he personally championed, have not yielded more decisive Republican advantages in key districts.