Trump is hitting the campaign trail. But he's missing from GOP ads.
Republican candidates are avoiding talking about Trump on the airwaves, even in deep-red districts where they used to feature him.
Donald Trump is touring the country to support Republican candidates ahead of the midterms. However, Trump is notably absent from Republican ads, even in states that once proudly endorsed him. Democratic candidates and outside groups have spent $145 million on ads mentioning Trump, while Republicans have only allocated $8 million, according to a POLITICO analysis.
This stark contrast comes as Trump is at historic lows in the polls. GOP strategist Ron Bonjean suggests that Trump's presence can help mobilize the Republican base, but candidates should avoid talking about Trump "24/7" on the campaign trail. Some Republican candidates are hesitant to appear with Trump on the campaign trail, despite hoping for his help in turning out the MAGA base.
The unfavorable national political environment leaves limited incentives for GOP candidates to align themselves with Trump. In 2024, GOP candidates spent $62 million on ads mentioning Trump, indicating a shift in strategy this cycle.
Written by urgent.news from POLITICO's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
