Trump Says Voters Are Angry at Republicans, Not Him

In an interview with Punchbowl News that aired on Friday, President Donald Trump asserted that “they’re angry at Republicans, but they’re not angry at me.” He framed the 2026 midterm elections as a test of whether Republican voters will turn out without him on the ballot, asking, “The question is, will they vote?” and saying he will “ask them to” vote for GOP candidates.

The HillNew Tang DynastyTrump says voters are ‘not angry at me’, presses Republicans on the SAVE Act HuffPostTrump says voters are angry at Republicans, not at him, ahead of midterms Alternet

Trump, who won the 2024 presidential election but is not a candidate in the 2026 midterms, emphasized his personal popularity while warning that the Republican Party faces voter backlash. He noted the historical midterm loss pattern for the president’s party and highlighted his MAGA Inc. super-PAC’s “$400 million war chest.”

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• Presidential approval (July-August polls): roughly 32-40 % approve, 58-60 % disapprove, yielding a net rating between –15 and –25.

Newsweek

• Generic congressional ballot: Democrats lead Republicans by 6-8 points among registered voters.

Newsweek

• Voter motivation: 42 % say their vote will be based “somewhat” on opposing the president; 22 % say it will be based on supporting him.

TruthOut

• Issue focus: 63 % believe the GOP is focusing too little on cost-of-living issues, versus 52 % for Democrats.

CNN

• Trump’s interview: He denied personal blame for Republican polling woes, repeated that voters are “angry at Republicans” but “not angry at me,” expressed uncertainty about turnout without his name, and pledged to ask supporters to vote.

Trump says voters are angry at Republicans, not at him, ahead of midterms

• Congressional leadership: When asked about Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Trump said he “doesn’t want to get into that,” and praised House Speaker Mike Johnson as a “fantastic person.”

CNN

• Campaign activity: Trump cited a recent Las Vegas rally for the “no taxes on tips” provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and noted his schedule keeps him “busy,” implying he need not campaign for other Republicans.

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(Section left intentionally brief; specific critiques were not provided in the source.)

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Polls vary modestly on Trump’s approval rating (32 % to 40 %) and on the generic ballot lead for Democrats (6-8 points). No timeline was given for when MAGA Inc. will begin spending its funds, leaving the impact on the midterms uncertain.

Newsweek

• “They're angry at Republicans, but they're not angry at me.” — Donald Trump

USA Today

• “I could spend it on pretty much anything I want,” — Donald Trump

CNN

• “The question is, will they vote?” — Donald Trump

Trump says voters are ‘not angry at me’, presses Republicans on the SAVE Act

The 2026 midterm elections are scheduled for November 3. Trump has not set a date for MAGA Inc. expenditures and declined to commit to endorsing Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Voter turnout and the generic ballot trend will determine whether Republicans retain their narrow majorities in the House and Senate.

Newsweek