{
  "id": 17782793,
  "title": "Republicans are privately blaming Trump, even if they won’t say it out loud",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/republicans-are-privately-blaming-trump-even-if-they-wont-say-it-out",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T10:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "POLITICO",
    "slug": "politico",
    "url": "https://www.politico.com/news/2026/11/02/republicans-blame-trump-midterms-2026-01143980"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As Republicans anticipate losses in the upcoming midterm elections, they are privately placing the blame on President Donald Trump, despite their reluctance to speak out against him publicly. This indicates the extent of Trump's influence over the GOP. In the interviews with a dozen campaign officials and lawmakers, it is clear that Trump is the primary reason behind their current setbacks. Earlier, some Republicans had been confident in turning the tide, but the recent escalation of tensions with Iran, along with various other issues, has left them frustrated. Trump's closing message, which included comments about his physical appearances, has added to their discontent. Some Republicans have gone as far as calling his approach to certain issues, such as male candidates' appearances, sarcastically \"great.\" Even the White House defends its role in the Iran war, tariff system, and immigration enforcement, emphasizing Trump's leadership, but privately, some Republicans are more critical, comparing Obama's presidency to Trump's in terms of handling enemies versus friends. If the GOP faces significant losses, the blame may become more public as Trump approaches the end of his presidency, and Republicans begin to strategize for the 2028 election cycle.",
  "summary": "\"There was a point earlier this year where we really felt like we could defy history. And then Trump bombed Iran,” said one House Republican.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}