‘Survival Mode’ Republicans Turn on Trump to Save Themselves

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images Republican candidates are turning away from an increasingly unpopular Donald Trump.

With the midterm elections 40 days away, more and more GOP House and Senate hopefuls are splitting from the president on a variety of issues.

Trump’s own approval rating is in the toilet, having hit below 30 percent in some polls, driven by frustrations over the war in Iran and his sputtering economy.

The war is a big deal for Republican politicians too, with a New York Times report laying bare the extent to which candidates are putting daylight between themselves and the 80-year-old on the issue.

Michigan and Iowa Senate hopefuls—former Rep.

Mike Rogers and Rep.

Ashley Hinson—both called for an end to the war, which has been going on for nearly seven months.

Hinson said in a social media post that “the war needs to be brought to a successful and immediate end.” “The war with Iran needs to end, and end quickly,” said Rogers in a campaign video.

“The war needs to come to an end as quickly as possible so that we can lower gas prices,” echoed Sen.

Jon Husted in comments made to Politico .

Even House Speaker Mike Johnson has called for “a resolution” to the war, The Hill reports.

Speaking to the same outlet, one senator, who was granted permission to speak anonymously, said GOP lawmakers were under increasing pressure to end their support for the fight in the Middle East.

“People are very, very concerned about costs,” the senator said.

“They associate higher fuel costs with the Iran war directly.