Republicans turn on Trump after Democrats score shocking election victories

International

WHAT began as shock over Democrats’ unexpected election gains has quickly turned into anger within Republican ranks, with Donald Trump emerging as the central target of criticism over the party’s disappointing performance.

Democratic victories in traditionally Republican strongholds, including Texas, Kansas and South Carolina, have prompted party members to question whether Trump’s leadership, unpopular policies and focus on his political legacy contributed to the setbacks.

“It’s on him. It’s not on anybody else. It’s a total, complete rejection of President Trump,” Bill Miller, a top Republican lobbyist in Texas, told the BBC, describing the outcome as a political disaster few had anticipated.

Republicans had largely expected to lose their majority in the House of Representatives and acknowledged the challenge of retaining control of the Senate in an election cycle favouring the opposition. However, the scale of the Democratic gains intensified concerns that Trump had become an electoral liability.

Several Republicans interviewed by the BBC blamed voter dissatisfaction with the administration’s policies, Trump’s low approval ratings and his preoccupation with projects tied to his legacy in Washington.

Gregg Peppin, a Republican strategist in Minnesota, said repeated mistakes by the president had compounded the party’s difficulties, with voters across several states expressing dissatisfaction with his policies.

A White House ally also cited public opposition to the war in Iran, tariffs and the administration’s immigration crackdown as factors that created a damaging political environment for Republicans. The source said frustration within the party was increasingly directed at Trump.

The BBC spoke to a dozen party operatives, campaign officials, White House allies and other Republican figures to assess the reasons behind the election outcome. Many spoke on background to provide candid assessments of Trump’s approach to the midterms.

The results carry significant consequences for Trump and his party. A stronger Republican showing could have provided momentum heading into the 2028 presidential election. In 2022, Democrats under then-President Joe Biden lost only nine House seats while gaining one in the Senate.

Instead, Trump now faces a strengthened Democratic majority in Congress, with lawmakers poised to investigate his administration, oppose his judicial nominees and challenge his legislative agenda.

The outcome also marks an uncertain new phase in Trump’s second term, potentially forcing Republicans to consider the party’s direction beyond his leadership.

Still, some Republicans maintain that Trump’s influence remains intact.

Steve Scheffler, the Republican National Committeeman in Iowa, defended the president’s standing while acknowledging that some of his campaign remarks could have been different.(MyTVCebu)