Trump Hosts Vulnerable Republicans Amid Midterm Funding Disputes

President Donald Trump hosted a dinner in the White House Rose Garden on Wednesday for several dozen Republican lawmakers facing difficult reelection bids. The gathering comes as GOP incumbents struggle with electoral headwinds caused by new tariffs, rising gas prices, and the war in Iran.

Internal party frustrations have grown over the president's reluctance to deploy the $400 million war chest held by his political operation, MAGA Inc. In response, Trump indicated he will use both personal funds and campaign resources to support preferred candidates, claiming he has raised approximately $850 million. To further bolster resources, MAGA Inc. is organizing two fundraisers this fall with $1 million-per-person entry fees at Mar-a-Lago in Florida and Trump National Golf Club in Virginia.

While MAGA Inc. has historically spent sparingly, the nonprofit arm Securing American Greatness launched its first major general election ad buy on the day of the dinner, reserving nearly $1 million for national television. The event precedes the GOP midterm convention in Dallas, though some attendees, including Representative Tom Barrett, plan to skip the convention to focus on campaigning.