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Republican Strategist Warns Party's Shift Risks Midterm Losses

3/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Steve Schmidt, a Republican strategist, argues the Republican Party has strayed from its founding principles of freedom and human liberty after the rise of U.S. President Donald Trump.
He adds the party has shifted toward grievance politics and rationalized the January 6 Capitol attack.
Analysts predict electoral repercussions for Trump and the GOP in the midterms, amid low approval ratings, rising gas prices, and unpopular military actions in Iran.

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Story summary

Steve Schmidt, a Republican strategist, argues the Republican Party has strayed from its founding principles of freedom and human liberty after the rise of U.S. President Donald Trump.
He adds the party has shifted toward grievance politics and rationalized the January 6 Capitol attack.
Analysts predict electoral repercussions for Trump and the GOP in the midterms, amid low approval ratings, rising gas prices, and unpopular military actions in Iran.