Donald Trump Launches Midterm Push Amid Iran War Headwinds

President Donald Trump has launched an aggressive campaign push to support House and Senate candidates in approximately 35 competitive races ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. As part of this effort, the president will take a central role at the Republican Party's two-day midterm convention in Dallas. However, a Reuters/Ipsos poll shows his approval rating has fallen to 33%, driven by public dissatisfaction with the cost of living and the ongoing armed conflict with Iran.

The war with Iran has created significant political vulnerability for the administration, contradicting the president's previous pledges to avoid foreign conflicts. The Democratic Party is leveraging this unpopularity, along with soaring gas prices, in battleground districts. While Republicans are focusing on opposing transgender rights and gender-affirming care to mobilize their base, some candidates in competitive districts are avoiding the Dallas convention to appeal to moderate voters.

Democrats face their own internal challenges, with candidates in Republican-leaning states like Iowa and Alaska distancing themselves from 2024 nominee Kamala Harris. The stakes remain high for the White House; a Democratic takeover of the House would grant the opposition subpoena power and committee control, potentially enabling investigations or impeachment efforts during the president's final two years in office.