Trump puts himself on the ballot

President Donald Trump made an appearance at a rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, on September 16, 2026. This story was featured in The Logoff, a daily newsletter that provides insights on the Trump administration without overwhelming political news. As the midterm elections approach, Trump has been actively campaigning. In North Carolina, he campaigned for Republican Michael Whatley against Democratic candidate Roy Cooper in the upcoming US Senate election.

Trump encouraged voters to "pretend I’m on the ticket, because essentially I am." Despite this, Trump's popularity among voters remains low, and his presence on the ballot might not necessarily help Republican candidates. In addition to his campaign efforts, Trump has been making significant spending from his super PAC account, allocating $138 million for ads, which could increase.

MAGA Inc., his super PAC, has approximately $400 million, but Trump has various other priorities to consider, such as legal fees, travel, and his future presidential library. Will these efforts sway the election? With the polls unfavorable and mail-in ballots already being sent out, the situation seems bleak for Republican prospects.

Meanwhile, Trump's recent decisions, such as the Iran war's fuel shortages and the AI controversy, are not helping his image. Voters are also frustrated over inflation. That concludes this edition of The Logoff.