Trump is planning on hosting tele-rallies for Ciattarelli, in which he will address supporters by phone. Meanwhile, allies and surrogates to the president are helping to raise millions of dollars for a pro-Ciattarelli super PAC, according to a person familiar with the discussions. Senior Republican strategists say Trump could be most helpful by energizing his voters during an off year-election, when turnout is likely to be down. In recent elections, Republicans have struggled to turn out voters when Trump isn't on the ballot.
If you want to know how worried Republicans are about Zohran Mamdani becoming New York's next mayor and putting in place popular pro-people policies, look no further than Donald Trump's social media post from Monday. Mamdani is heavily favored to win the race. However, after incumbent Eric Adams dropped out of the race this weekend, Republicans and some establishment Democrats see an opening for former New York governor Andrew Cuomo (D), who lost the primary to Mamdani in June.
On Sunday, Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe signed into law a legislative redrawing of the state's congressional districts, a gerrymander that will likely result in one fewer Democratic representative in the state's delegation in the next midterm elections, despite no huge ideological shift among voters. The move is part of a broader national scheme, planned by President Donald Trump's political team in coordination with state governors and legislatures, to mitigate potential seat losses in the 2026 midterms.
Even as most congressional Republicans are avoiding their constituents, one has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to engaging with voters in the flesh: 61-year-old Mark Alford of Missouri held not one but 15 public events across his district this week, including five town halls.
Recognize that the-, coalitions tend to come and go, and that the Republicans need to be aimed not at the hardcore base of their party, but at broadening that-, the Republican realm, if you will, by getting independents, and ticket splitters, and people who might be, you know, somewhat suspect of the Republicans, but need to be wooed in order to win elections.
Massie suggested that Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are conspiring to prevent Trump from making recess appointments as Congress enjoys its usual summer break.