Republican lawmakers voice growing unease over Trump’s influence ahead of midterms

New reporting shows a split among congressional Republicans, with many fearing that Donald Trump’s dwindling popularity may drag the party down in the November elections. Retiring Rep. Don Bacon criticized recent actions such as the renaming of Lake Ontario, calling them chaotic, and urged colleagues to distance themselves from unpopular policies. Rep. Stephanie Bice warned that Trump fatigue could depress Republican turnout, and former Rep. Dan Newhouse echoed concerns about voter motivation.

Despite these warnings, House Speaker Mike Johnson continues to credit Trump for the party’s optimism and recent legislative wins. Political analyst Charlie Cook warned that the outcomes could be “bad, really bad, or truly horrible.”