Home · Politics · Sep 13 archive
Trump Adviser Cautiously Optimistic on Midterms Despite Economic Concerns
Developing
In Short: Top Trump political adviser James Blair expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming midterm elections, despite economic concerns and potential losses for Republicans.
Top Trump political adviser James Blair expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming midterm elections, despite economic concerns and potential losses for Republicans. According to Blair, the midterms will be driven by both national and local issues, with Democrats facing the challenge of measuring Republican performance against an ideal standard.
The White House has argued that its economic agenda, despite delivering political pain in some areas, will pay off in the long run. However, approaching the halfway point of Trump's second term, the economic record has become an increasingly awkward liability for Republicans heading into the November elections.
Several Republican lawmakers, including Reps. Tom Barrett and Zach Nunn, plan to skip a midterm GOP convention called by Trump, highlighting internal divisions within the party. Despite these challenges, Blair believes Republicans can still hold onto their majorities in Congress, though he acknowledges it will not be easy.
What's still developing
- “I’m not affected by the election,” Trump told reporters last week.
- But Rep. Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican and speaker of the House, said last week that the midterms would serve as a referendum on Trump’s presidency.
- “What they [Democrats] want a Republican to be measured against is, ‘Do you think everything is going perfectly?’” Blair said.
- Trump has repeatedly said that the ongoing conflict has achieved its goal of preventing Iran from building a nuclear weapon, something that Blair cited as a political success, despite the president’s low marks from voters on his handling of the war.
- “We’re still cleaning up that mess, and we need more time to finish the job,” Blair said.
- Blair served as deputy White House chief of staff until April and has been at the center of Trump’s political operations, now serving as the chief of the president’s MAGA Inc.
- During the campaign, Blair was Trump’s political director and is known for his close relationship with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who served as a campaign manager in 2024.
- Comparing Democratic candidates to unpopular members of their party, like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Blair added, is a strategy he hopes GOP candidates will use.
Sources
- NBC Newslink