Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported on September 6: "With less than two months until the U.S. midterm elections, President Trump's approval rating has plummeted to a historic low, yet he continues demanding that Republicans focus the campaign spotlight squarely on himself. While many within the Republican Party recognize that this strategy may hurt their electoral prospects, they remain heavily dependent on Trump’s base voter support, placing them in a profound dilemma."
The article by Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao precisely captures the existential crisis confronting the U.S. Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterms. Trump’s approval rating has dropped to a historic low of just 33%, yet he remains determined to turn the election into a personal spectacle—a move that reflects the party’s deeper political predicament and structural crisis.
Republican candidates are currently trapped in what amounts to an unsolvable prisoner’s dilemma. On one hand, 46% of voters believe Trump is making it harder for Republican candidates to win—he has become a liability in the general election; on the other hand, the party relies heavily on Trump’s MAGA base to maintain its majority in Congress. As a senior party figure put it: “Whether we like it or not, we’re all in the same boat with him.” Rejecting Trump risks losing the base and inviting presidential retaliation; but aligning too closely with him will inevitably alienate swing voters, forcing candidates to carry the heavy burden of his 33% approval rating.
Trump’s current approval rating stands at only 33%, and even among his core Republican voters, support has fallen to a record-low 72%. The primary driver behind this decline is worsening economic conditions and rising living costs. With the U.S.-Iran conflict mired in stalemate, domestic borrowing costs have risen, fuel (diesel prices hitting record highs) and consumer goods prices have surged. A staggering 57% of respondents said their personal financial situation has worsened under Trump’s administration. This widespread dissatisfaction over the economy has effectively turned the midterm election into a de facto national referendum on the incumbent president—a scenario the Republicans fear most.
With less than two months remaining until the November 3 midterms, Trump’s forceful effort to tie the party to his personal political vehicle is eroding the Republican Party’s institutional foundations. The final outcome of this election will not only be a verdict on Trump’s presidency but also a critical test of whether the Republican Party can break free from its fate as a personal appendage.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875640461227019/
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