Trump Aides Admit the House Is a Lost Cause

Recent conversations between GOP officials and White House aides have revealed a grim outlook for the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections. The White House is now operating on damage-control mode following a realization earlier this month that Republicans may lose both chambers of Congress, according to three sources familiar with the situation. This realization follows the previously reported contemplation that Republicans could lose both chambers of Congress.

The general consensus is that the House has become a lost cause, with Republican congressional leadership no longer considering races they once thought they could flip to offset Democratic gains as attainable. The Congressional Leadership Fund, aligned with Speaker Mike Johnson, has pulled ad buys in Democratic districts in Michigan and Ohio, as well as in the Republican seat vacated in Nebraska due to Don Bacon's retirement.

The fund has also canceled ad reservations in New Jersey and Iowa, where Republicans are seeking re-election.

White House aides have redirected their efforts towards bolstering the Senate majority, which remains problematic but less so than the House. They believe early returns for mail ballots are strong and comparable to the 2024 presidential election levels in key Senate battleground states, such as Alaska, Iowa, and Ohio. Winning a combination of Senate seats in these states could create a firewall that makes it harder for Democrats to seize control of the Senate.

However, Trump officials acknowledge that winning North Carolina is unlikely, and the Senate Republicans' campaign arm has ceased ad spending in the state since October.

President Trump remains committed to maintaining Republican majorities in both the House and Senate. White House spokesperson Liz Huston echoed this statement, emphasizing the administration's focus on retaining majorities. With 20 days until the election, Trump officials are prioritizing maximum turnout from the MAGA base rather than attempting to win over swing voters, who polls suggest will not break for Republicans.

Republicans are fixated on winning and protecting President Trump's majorities and are exploring new strategies to achieve this goal. This includes heavily relying on direct voter outreach, with Trump campaigning in states that are traditionally Republican. He started the week in Ohio, where Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown leads Republican Jon Husted, and will continue his campaign in Alaska, Arizona, Kentucky, and Arizona, as well as hosting a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser dinner for MAGA Inc. at Mar-a-Lago.

Despite his worst polling on record, Trump remains convinced that his supporters will turn out in November, similar to his strategies during the 2016 and 2024 presidential elections, as per a source familiar with his thinking.