Overview

• Party operatives report little evidence of a broad Democratic “blue wave” forming nine months into Trump’s second term.
• Internal critics say the administration’s expansive tariffs have worsened inflation and could undercut GOP economic messaging.
• Recent polling shows Trump performing better than Democrats with independents even as approval of his economic stewardship remains weak.
• A revamped White House political team led by Susie Wiles, James Blair, and Matthew Brasseaux and Trump-aligned PACs topping $200 million by July 1 have bolstered confidence.
• Many Republicans see Democrats’ chances of flipping the Senate as remote and cautiously expect to preserve a narrow House majority.