Republicans Abandon Trump as Blue Wave Sweeps Red Heartland

Carlos Barria / REUTERS Republicans are increasingly distancing themselves from Donald Trump as a new poll offers another blaring warning about what their ties to the president could cost them at the midterms.

With the election 45 days away, the latest Cook Political Report survey found Democrats leading Republicans in the 37 most competitive House districts, which Trump won in 2024.

Democrats now hold a two-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot while Trump is about 16 points underwater, with most Americans disapproving of his performance.

What’s more, according to the poll, Democrats also hold advantages on the economy, inflation and energy costs—areas that have traditionally been GOP strong suits.

The numbers help explain why some Republicans are suddenly eager to remind voters that they are not, in fact, Donald Trump.

The latest example took place on Thursday, when Florida Rep.

María Elvira Salazar dropped a shocking advertisement calling out the president’s ICE crackdown and declaring that “the same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.” “Mr.

President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far,” Salazar’s ad begins.

“In July, 50 percent of the 50,000 people that were detained had no criminal record.

Be careful what your advisers are telling you about immigration policy.” Other Republicans have also sought to distance themselves from Trump as issues such as the war and affordability continue to bite.

In Iowa, Reps.

Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks abruptly switched their votes this week to limit Trump’s ability to continue military action in Iran without congressional authorization.

Nunn said he would not support another “open-ended war,” while Miller-Meeks pointed to gas-pump costs.

In Maine, Sen.