Trump Faults Senior Advisers Over Republican Midterm Strategy as Campaign Spending and Texas Redistricting Draw Scrutiny
By Jahanzaib Saqib — SCN NEWS
WASHINGTON, — President Donald Trump is questioning the performance of his senior political advisers, raising concerns about campaign spending, congressional district boundaries and Republican candidate selection as his party struggles to improve its standing ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, according to people familiar with internal White House discussions.
The disagreements have emerged with just over two weeks remaining before voters decide control of the House of Representatives and Senate. Republicans are seeking to preserve their congressional majorities, while Democrats are campaigning on the cost of living, the administration's economic record and dissatisfaction with the war involving Iran.
Three people familiar with the discussions told Reuters that Trump has expressed frustration with senior aides and political operatives over the effectiveness of the Republican campaign. His concerns include the use of funds by MAGA Inc., the political organization supporting his agenda, and whether efforts to redraw congressional districts have produced the advantages party strategists anticipated.
Much of the criticism has focused on James Blair, a longtime Trump adviser who oversees MAGA Inc., and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, whose supervision of the administration's political operation has also drawn questions from some officials and allies. The disagreements have extended across different parts of the president's political team, with advisers offering competing explanations for why campaign spending has not translated into stronger polling numbers.
Public records show that MAGA Inc. has spent approximately $200 million during the election cycle. Trump has asked why that investment has not produced clearer improvements in closely contested races, according to Reuters. Whether the president will authorize additional spending before Election Day remains uncertain.
The White House disputed the accounts of internal dysfunction. Spokesman Davis Ingle dismissed the sources' descriptions as speculation from people lacking direct responsibility for the campaign. Trump also publicly defended Wiles on Friday, describing her as an important member of his administration and making clear that he expected her to remain in her position.
The tensions have intensified following scrutiny of Blair and Chris LaCivita, another senior figure in Trump's political circle, over consulting work in Bosnia. The two travelled earlier this month to Republika Srpska, an autonomous entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they reportedly provided paid political advice ahead of local elections. Their involvement prompted questions among White House officials about outside business activities during the final weeks of the U.S. congressional campaign.
Trump publicly distanced himself from the advisers' overseas work in an October 7 social media statement, describing them as outside consultants and warning that any conflict of interest could have professional consequences. According to people familiar with the matter, the president has also questioned whether Blair's consulting activities distracted him from responsibilities associated with the midterm campaign.
Blair rejected the criticism, describing the internal accusations as counterproductive and insisting that he and Trump remained focused on supporting Republican candidates. LaCivita likewise defended the campaign operation, pointing to the administration's fundraising, messaging and presidential travel as evidence of its commitment to the November elections.
A separate concern involves congressional redistricting, particularly in Texas, where Republicans revised district boundaries in an effort to improve their representation in the House. Trump supported the strategy, but advisers are now examining whether the new map could expose some Republican incumbents to more competitive races than anticipated.
The Texas approach depends partly on sustaining support among Hispanic voters who backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Concerns about household expenses and the administration's handling of the economy have complicated Republican efforts to maintain that coalition, according to polling and party strategists cited by Reuters. Some Republicans worry that the revised districts distribute their voters in ways that could create unexpected vulnerabilities.
Trump has been personally involved in aspects of the campaign strategy, including the push for redistricting and decisions surrounding Republican candidates. His growing dissatisfaction with the results has therefore created disagreements over responsibility for the party's electoral position, even as advisers continue efforts to mobilize voters.
The president himself will not appear on the November ballot, but he has urged supporters to approach the midterms as though his name were on it. He has increased his campaign travel in an effort to encourage turnout among voters who supported him in the presidential election but may be less inclined to participate in congressional contests.
The political stakes extend well beyond the immediate disputes among advisers. Control of the House would determine whether Republicans can continue advancing legislation through both chambers with fewer obstacles or whether a Democratic-controlled House could challenge administration proposals and conduct investigations using congressional oversight powers. The Senate will also shape confirmation votes and the administration's ability to pursue its legislative priorities.
National surveys and competitive-district polling have raised concerns within Republican ranks, although polling does not determine election outcomes and individual races remain subject to turnout, local issues and late campaign developments. Republicans continue to emphasize their policy agenda and presidential campaigning, while Democrats are seeking to connect voter concerns about prices and economic conditions to the administration's record.
Questions also remain about Blair's future role. Trump previously suggested that the adviser could return to a White House position after the elections, but people familiar with the internal discussions told Reuters that such a return is now in doubt. No formal personnel decision has been announced.
With Election Day approaching, the White House and Republican campaign organizations face pressure to coordinate spending, candidate support and voter mobilization while managing disagreements within the president's political circle. The final outcome will depend on voters across hundreds of congressional districts and multiple Senate contests, not solely on national polling or internal campaign assessments.