As the U.S. midterm elections enter their final stretch, Republican prospects remain stagnant. In response, Donald Trump has begun directing frustration toward those around him, even targeting long-time allies. James Blair, who has managed Trump’s political operations for years, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles have both come under intense scrutiny.
Trump holds Blair accountable for poor financial management: a super PAC invested approximately $200 million, yet polling numbers remain weak. Questions persist over where the money went. Even more troubling to Trump is Blair’s decision to travel to Bosnia during this critical period to offer “election advisory” services—an action that drew justified criticism.
Wiles, meanwhile, faces criticism from some White House officials and Trump allies who believe she has failed in her role as chief administrator. She has pushed back, blaming Blair for shortcomings, while Blair deflects responsibility to the White House’s legislative affairs team. Each party insists the fault lies elsewhere. But someone must bear the blame. The game of musical chairs will continue until the election results are settled.
Neither individual is a mere aide. Blair oversees a super PAC responsible for fundraising, campaign coordination, and fund distribution—functioning effectively as an unofficial “chief accountant.” Wiles serves as White House Chief of Staff, managing presidential scheduling, coordinating staff operations, and acting as gatekeeper for access to the president. Their elevated positions make them suitable scapegoats; the burden of electoral failure is too heavy for junior figures to carry.
The current outlook is unfavorable for Republicans. Midterm elections typically favor the opposition, and Democrats hold strong advantages in the House of Representatives, with a near-even contest expected in the Senate. For Trump, control of both chambers matters. Should Democrats gain the House, they could leverage committee investigations, hearings, and subpoenas to scrutinize his conduct extensively—a level of oversight he has previously evaded. The outcome may determine whether Trump remains a dominant figure or becomes a “lame duck” president, with the latter scenario appearing increasingly likely.
Yet the underlying cause of Republican weakness lies not in campaign strategy but in the policies pursued by Trump over the past two years. His efforts to mediate between Ukraine and Russia yielded no tangible results. Subsequent military actions against Iran have drawn the United States into deeper entanglement in the Middle East, triggering global energy market volatility and domestic economic strain. Democrats need only mobilize disaffected voters. According to surveys, nearly three-quarters of Democratic voters consider the midterms “extremely important,” compared to about 60% among Republican voters. Campaign spending can shape narratives, but voters ultimately form their own judgments.
Trump is known for his obsession with credit and aversion to blame. He once claimed that if Republicans win, he deserves full credit; if they lose, he should not be held responsible. With the president himself insulated from accountability, subordinates must absorb the fallout. Blame-shifting serves no purpose. If the Republican Party suffers a significant defeat, someone will inevitably be made to serve as a scapegoat—but it will not be Trump.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1879443866386442/
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