Trump’s Self-Centred Midterm Push Amid Record-Low Approval

President Donald Trump told a South Carolina crowd, “What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote. It’s so important.” He then directed aides to turn the remarks into television ads that will run alongside targeted House and Senate race spots. The plan, disclosed by three people familiar with the meeting, is to “nationalize” the midterms around his record on the economy, fentanyl deaths, border security and manufacturing.

(The) Atlantic

Trump entered his second term promising to curb inflation and end foreign wars, yet the war in Iran has persisted for more than six months and fuel prices have risen sharply. Economic anxiety and the war’s cost have become top issues for voters, echoing historic “cost-of-living” concerns in midterms. Republicans are already facing a “historic headwind” as Trump’s approval has slipped to a record low of 33 percent, according to an August 20 report.

NBC News

• Reuters/Ipsos (Aug 21-24) – 33 % approval, 65 % disapproval.

Forbes

• Economist/YouGov (early August) – 33 % approval, a new low.

Forbes

• Decision Desk HQ (mid-July) – 39.2 % average approval, second-lowest since May.

The Hill

MAGA Inc., the president’s super-PAC, holds roughly $400 million. As of early August it had spent $827,000 on text messages and phone calls for Sen. Darline Graham’s South Carolina runoff, the first sizable outlay of the cycle.

Politico

In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed the “actual polls are tremendous” and dismissed criticism as “Demoralization Operations” aimed at suppressing Republican turnout.

The Hill

Several GOP insiders warn that centering the ads on Trump could backfire. “If you’re the average person out there, you’re seeing that and thinking what planet is he living on?” said David Axelrod, former Obama strategist.

(The) Atlantic

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) warned that upcoming Canada tariffs could hurt the party’s message on affordability.

Politico

Polls differ on the depth of Trump’s unpopularity. Reuters/Ipsos and the Economist/YouGov both place approval at 33 %, while Decision Desk HQ reports a higher 39.2 % average. No source provides a definitive projection of how the ad campaign will affect turnout, leaving analysts uncertain whether the “pretend I’m on the ballot” message will translate into votes.

The Hill

• “What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote. It’s so important,” — President Donald Trump

(The) Atlantic

• “They’re putting them out at levels never seen before,” — President Donald Trump

The Hill

• “The problem that we have is they say that Trump does great when he’s on the ballot, but when he’s not on the ballot, his people don’t come,” — President Donald Trump

Associated Press

• “I don’t think the GOP fully grasp how badly they are fucking up right now,” — Van Swol

The Bulwark