The Trump White House has returned to a state of disarray in the final stretch of the 2026 midterms, with the president openly blaming senior aides and political operatives for a faltering midterm strategy as Republicans fight to retain control of Congress. Nearly two weeks out from election day, the stability that marked much of Trump's second term has given way to the infighting that characterized his early political career, and insiders anticipate sweeping losses to Democrats in the House and Senate.
According to three people familiar with internal discussions, Trump has been questioning campaign spending, faulting redistricting strategy, and second-guessing candidate choices. He is not on the November 3 ballot himself, but has repeatedly told supporters to vote as though he were, in an effort to mobilize the base for a high-stakes contest.
A Circular Firing Squad
Much of the friction centers on James Blair, the operative who runs the Trump-aligned super PAC MAGA Inc., and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Trump has faulted Blair's handling of campaign funds, while Wiles has pointed fingers at Blair, and Blair in turn has faulted the White House legislative affairs team. "What's really happening is a circular firing squad," one source told Reuters, describing aides blaming one another as Trump demands to know why the spending has not improved Republican polling.
The tensions flared into public view in early October, when Blair and veteran strategist Chris LaCivita traveled to Republika Srpska in Bosnia for lucrative consulting work. Trump distanced himself from the pair on October 7 in a Truth Social post, calling them "outside consultants" and warning he would "terminate them, immediately!" if he found a conflict of interest. Wiles had reportedly approved the trip without informing Trump.
The $200 Million Question
MAGA Inc. has already spent $200 million on the campaign, according to public records, and Trump wants answers about why Republican polling in pivotal races has not improved. It remains unclear whether he will approve additional spending before election day.
Redistricting is another sore point. Republicans redrew the Texas congressional map to gain seats, but internal polls suggest Hispanic voter turnout may not replicate 2024 levels amid cost-of-living concerns. "The redistricting diced up the Trump voters too much," one source said, capturing the anxiety that the map work may have backfired.
The churn has already claimed the shortest press-secretary tenure in the office's history. Katie Zacharia was let go after just five days, though Trump reportedly asked her to reconsider, telling her, "Katie, do you need this? I don't think you need this." She was offered the job in the Oval Office without formal vetting or consultation with Wiles, at the urging of aide Natalie Harp, exposing the rivalries inside the West Wing.
What the Polls Say
Opinion polls suggest Democrats will win the House, while the Senate remains too close to call. Losing the House would hand Democrats subpoena power to investigate his administration, a prospect that has sharpened the stakes. Trump's approval rating has fallen to the lowest point of his presidency, weighed down by voter concern over high prices and dissatisfaction with the Iran war.
For his part, Trump gave Wiles a public vote of confidence on Friday, saying there was "zero chance" he would fire her. "Susie is here, and she's going to be here for a long time," he said, calling her "smart" and "tough." Whether that reassurance steadies a White House in chaos remains to be seen, with the clock running down to November 3.
Sources
- Reuters: Trump faults aides as Republican midterm prospects dim
- Political Wire: Trump's team is in chaos as midterms enter final stretch (Los Angeles Times)
- New York Post: Trump stands by Susie Wiles as infighting consumes jittery White House
Watch: "Trump Says There's Zero Chance of Replacing Susie Wiles" — Bloomberg Balance of Power — a news segment with former acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney discussing Katie Zacharia's five-day tenure, Trump's defense of Susie Wiles, and Republicans bracing for potential midterm losses.
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