Donald Trump's unpopularity is causing Republicans to break with the president.

Key Points:

• For over a decade, Republican elected officials have largely remained loyal to Donald Trump despite controversies, prioritizing electoral success, which has resulted in unified GOP control of Washington twice under his leadership.
• Facing the 2026 midterms with an unpopular, term-limited president, several Republican candidates in competitive races are publicly distancing themselves from Trump on issues like the Iran war, immigration, and the 2020 election results to appeal to moderate voters and counter a potential Democratic wave.
• This distancing is notable because Trump is known for his thin skin and intolerance of dissent, yet some Republicans, including those not facing immediate reelection, are breaking with him, signaling a strategic shift driven by political necessity rather than pure ideology.
• Trump and his allies largely deny the impact of these defections, maintaining he remains the best leader for the GOP, though his approval ratings among Republicans have declined, and some candidates who criticized him earlier are now trying to backtrack.
• While distancing from an unpopular president has helped candidates from the opposing party in past midterms, Republicans risk alienating Trump’s base and facing skepticism from voters due to their previous support, making this a complex and potentially risky political maneuver.