With less than two weeks until Election Day, the latest polls suggest Democrats could make significant gains in next month’s midterms, including in traditionally red states where they have not been competitive for years. Republicans were always expected to face pressure in November, as the party in power has historically suffered midterm losses. But the recent rise in inflation, driven mainly by disruptions to the global oil market caused by the ongoing war in Iran, has turbocharged voter discontent and made an already difficult electoral environment even more perilous for Republicans.
President Donald Trump is not on the ballot, though his influence on the party remains enormous. But the president himself is losing ground with voters, with his approval rating dropping to 36 percent this month in a poll by the New York Times/Siena College, the lowest on record. Facing a potential midterm nightmare, Trump has been touring red states in support of Republican candidates, wielding both carrot and stick ahead of November.
He has promised hefty payouts if Republicans retain control of Congress, while threatening federal cuts to some states if they lose it. Newsweek contacted the White House for comment by email on Thursday morning. During a rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, on Friday, the president discussed additional federal disaster-recovery funding expected to flow to the western part of the state as communities continue rebuilding from Hurricane Helene two years after the deadly storm.
In what he later referred to as a joke, he suggested the money still to come might be conditional to Republican Michael Whatley’s victory against Democrat Roy Cooper in the state’s Senate race. You know, you’re waiting for some additional money,” Trump said. Now if Michael loses, I’m not sending it, OK?” He immediately added: “No, I’m only kidding.
You’re getting it.” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein condemned Trump’s comment, writing on X: “This is no way to respond to a tragic disaster, no way to run a country, no way to campaign for office.” While he insisted the remarks were made in jest, Trump has previously denied $227 million in disaster funding requests from four Democratic-led states, including New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Newsweek contacted Cooper’s campaign for comment by email on Thursday morning.
In another campaign rally on Tuesday, the president again tied federal funding to the outcomes of North Carolina’s Senate and House races, this time suggesting compensation for veterans and families affected by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune will depend on Republicans winning the elections. If we do win, you’re getting it. It’s gonna be finally over with that nightmare that’s been going on for so many years.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
