GoKawiilTrump aides privately brace for GOP losses despite president's optimism
White House aides say they are increasingly worried about the 2026 midterms, with national polling showing a historically low 37 percent approval rating for Trump in a Wall Street Journal survey. Trump has told aides he believes Republicans could still outperform expectations, citing internal polling showing narrower deficits in individual House races, while some advisers privately predict heavy losses. Officials reportedly began seeking foreign policy wins, including a US-Denmark agreement on Greenland and a touted Venezuela oil deal, to help drive midterm turnout.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The gap between Trump's public confidence and aides' private alarm suggests internal disagreement over how dire the political outlook really is ahead of a midterm that could determine control of Congress. Using foreign policy announcements to bolster turnout implies the White House sees diplomatic wins as a political tool, though the Venezuela deal's legal problems could undercut that strategy. If Republicans lose both chambers, it would significantly constrain Trump's legislative agenda for the remainder of his term.
- Trump's approval rating hit 37 percent, the lowest for any president entering a midterm since 1990.
- White House aides are privately preparing for possible loss of both House and Senate majorities.
- Trump's team pursued foreign policy deals with Denmark and Venezuela partly to boost midterm turnout.
Source: wired.com — Hugo Lowell, 2026-09-30
Published there as: “The White House Is Starting to Panic Over the Midterms”
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