Politics · United States · 2 hrs ago
Trump Aides Brace for Blame and Shakeups if Republicans Lose Midterms
Trump’s aides are preparing for possible Republican losses in the midterm elections, with forecasts showing the party could lose control of Congress.
The president’s Iran war and higher prices are seen by some Republicans as key causes of a possible voter backlash.
Aides are also looking at deputy chief of staff James Blair, who led Trump’s midterm strategy and supported redrawing congressional maps to help Republicans.
Some of those newly drawn districts now appear more favorable to Democrats, and Republican groups have pulled money from at least one race.
The growing blame game comes amid wider infighting, leaks and speculation about firings or resignations after the election.
Trump’s aides and allies say he still trusts his core team, while the White House says he is focused on keeping Republican majorities.
The election is still ahead, and the sources describe possible shakeups as uncertain.
Trump aides are preparing for possible Republican losses in the midterm elections and considering who could be blamed, according to sources cited by WIRED and CNN.
Administration officials expect steep losses could lead to major personnel changes, CNN reports.
Some Republican operatives privately blame Trump’s decision to start the Iran war for higher prices and voter backlash, WIRED reports.
Deputy chief of staff James Blair has faced criticism over his midterm strategy, while his allies say he could not have anticipated the effects of the war and scandals.
Blair has traveled with Trump on Air Force One twice in the past week, which CNN described as a sign that the president still has faith in his core team.
- Who
- Trump administration aides and allies, including deputy chief of staff James Blair, are bracing for possible Republican losses.
- What
- Aides are anticipating blame, possible personnel shakeups and departures if Republicans lose ground in the midterms.
- When
- In the two weeks leading up to the November midterm elections.
- Where
- The White House and the wider Trump political circle.
- Why
- Sources say aides fear losses could prompt Trump to seek people to blame; some Republican operatives attribute political risks to the Iran war, higher prices and voter backlash.
Critics of James Blair
Blair's defenders
Responsibility for the election outlook
Critics of James Blair
Critics have directed blame at Blair for a midterm strategy that may not deliver expected House gains.
Blair's defenders
His allies say he could not have foreseen the effects of the Iran war and scandals involving Trump officials.
Blair's standing with Trump
Critics of James Blair
Criticism has raised questions about his role in the president's circle.
Blair's defenders
Blair's allies say he retains Trump's confidence, and his recent travel with Trump is cited as a sign of support.
James Blair left the White House to run Trump's midterm strategy from outside the administration, with Trump describing the move as temporary.
Some election forecasters found that redrawn congressional seats favored Democrats, WIRED reports.
Public incidents included Trump's ousting of ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle and press secretary Katie Zacharia, and an investigation into a dispute involving Alina Habba Mildon and Ric Grenell.
Blair traveled with Trump on Air Force One twice, according to CNN.
Trump had two weeks left to try to preserve Republican congressional majorities, CNN reported.
- Midterm elections
- November
- Republican strategy aide
- James Blair, deputy chief of staff and political strategist
- Florida's 25th congressional district
- Rated Lean Democrat, according to WIRED
- Texas's 15th congressional district
- Monica De La Cruz's race rated a tossup by the Cook Political Report
- Possible personnel changes
- Officials expect steep Republican losses could prompt major shakeups, according to CNN
2 sources
What people are saying
Clearly it's the president's fault
It’s more brutal than any other situation in modern times in the White House
If we lose both the House and the Senate, there’s really no telling what happens
These armchair experts peddling their baseless speculation to WIRED have no idea what they’re talking about.