Overview
- Vice President JD Vance invited Rasmussen pollster Mark Mitchell to the White House to present warnings that Republicans could face major losses in the 2026 midterms.
- Before a luncheon with the president, Mitchell met with Vance, chief of staff Susie Wiles, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to share an outside assessment of GOP vulnerabilities.
- Mitchell told the president that many supporters feel he has not "drained the swamp" and urged a shift toward pragmatic economic populism to regain support.
- According to the Washington Post account, the president listened briefly then pivoted to golf, praising partners Lindsey Graham and Bret Baier and touting fundraising at a recent golf event for Graham.
- Mitchell argued that high-dollar, billionaire-focused optics are hurting the president with MAGA supporters, while press secretary Karoline Leavitt countered that he remains the movement’s undisputed leader delivering on core promises.