Donald Trump's political influence faces scrutiny amid primary shifts

Republican strategist Karl Rove has advised Donald Trump to minimize his political profile and avoid high-profile campaign rallies in battleground states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Rove noted that Trump’s current approval rating of 39 percent could make it easier for Democrats to tie Republican candidates to his unpopularity. He suggested that Trump focus on private fundraising rather than public rallies to avoid energizing the Democratic electorate.

In recent primary elections, Donald Trump maintained significant influence over the Republican Party, with his endorsed candidates securing victories. Meanwhile, in Florida, Democratic State Representative and Democratic Socialists of America member Angie Nixon achieved a major upset in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Nixon defeated Alexander Vindman, a prominent critic of Trump, by nearly 12 points despite having a significantly smaller campaign budget than Vindman’s $16.3 million war chest.