‘Donald wants to spend money on himself’: GOP strategist rips Trump over midterm war chest — calls prospects ‘bleak’
Republican strategist Doug Heye is warning that the GOP faces a difficult road in the November midterms. He said that President Donald Trump is allocating too much of his campaign funds to promoting himself rather than supporting vulnerable Republican candidates.
During a Monday appearance on CNN with Kaitlan Collins, Heye offered a candid assessment of the party’s prospects.
“Look, they’re bleak,” he said, referring to the history of midterm elections and Trump’s current approval numbers. “The Trump campaign has not been spending money to help Republican candidates like it needs to.”
Heye says Trump is prioritizing himself
When Collins asked why Trump’s political operation has not provided more support to other Republicans, Heye did not mince words.
“Donald wants to spend money on himself,” he said. “He doesn’t want to give things away.”
Heye compared Trump’s approach to The Apprentice, suggesting that the president expects Republican candidates to demonstrate their value before receiving support from his political network.
He also expressed concern about Trump’s communication with voters.
“The other issue is then what Donald Trump talks about,” Heye said, arguing that the president’s message does not always match how voters feel about the economy. Trump has repeatedly promoted what he sees as economic gains, but Heye noted that voters “don’t feel hot or rich right now.”
MAGA Inc. finally spends big in Texas
Trump’s political operation has begun allocating a portion of its substantial cash reserves to the midterm elections.
MAGA Inc. recently committed $10 million to the Texas Senate race, splitting the spending between supporting Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and opposing Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. The contest is considered one of the cycle’s key Senate races.
This move is notable because, as of the end of July, MAGA Inc. reported over $403 million in cash, with relatively little previously directed toward congressional contests.
Trump is making himself part of the midterm message
Trump has positioned himself at the center of the Republican campaign by planning to use political spending to promote his own record.
He has also promised to campaign actively for Republicans in the final weeks before Election Day, focusing on approximately 35 key races during the last 30 days. Plans include both in-person appearances and tele-rallies.
This strategy is unfolding as Republicans work to defend their congressional majorities against the historical trend of the president’s party often losing ground in midterm elections.
Trump’s approval is a problem for Republicans
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in late August found that 33% of Americans approved of Trump’s job performance, while 64% disapproved.
The 33% approval figure matched the lowest point measured during his previous presidency and remained the lowest of his current term.
Trump’s political operation is preparing for a midterm campaign in which his influence may be both an asset and a challenge for Republican candidates.