<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Washington Examiner</em> executive editor <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/author/bob-cusack/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bob Cusack</a> stated that President <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/donald-trump/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>’s message for the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/midterm-elections/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">midterm elections</a> may not resonate with <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/voting/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">voters</a>, who are prioritizing <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/affordability/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">affordability</a>.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I’ve talked to some Trump supporters, and they think the president’s involved in too much,” Cusack said during an appearance on CNN’s <em>Laura Coates Live</em> on Wednesday.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cusack noted that Trump is not addressing the primary concerns of Americans and is instead focusing on personal projects, such as the construction of a new <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/supreme-court/4706827/supreme-court-trump-white-house-ballroom-continue/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">White House ballroom</a>, renovations of <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4561759/trump-administration-strikes-deal-renovate-dc-golf-courses/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">D.C. golf courses</a>, and discussions about <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sports/3189894/trump-tackles-nfl-rules-politics-latest-podcast-appearance/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NFL kickoff rules</a>.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“It’s too much, especially when people are struggling,” Cusack added.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cusack expressed that most Americans do not perceive the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/economy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">economy</a> as being in good condition. He indicated that ongoing conflicts, such as the war in <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/iran/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Iran</a>, are likely to keep economic concerns at the forefront for voters.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“But what is sucking all the oxygen out of the room? The Iran war, and there’s no end in sight,” Cusack said. “The war may be going on as people are voting, and that’s a real problem for the GOP.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The first-ever <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/republican-party/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Republican Party</a> 2026 <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/4700367/what-to-know-rnc-republican-midterm-convention/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">midterm convention</a> is scheduled for September 9 and 10 in <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/dallas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dallas</a>, Texas. The event will focus on Trump and the GOP’s agenda, with Trump and Vice President <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/jd-vance/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">JD Vance</a> hosting.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cusack suggested that for voters seeking greater financial accountability, centering the convention on Trump could be a disadvantage for the GOP.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He also pointed out that the convention’s timing is problematic, as it coincides with the start of the NFL season.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">On September 9, the Seattle Seahawks will host the New England Patriots in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl, and on September 10, the San Francisco 49ers will face the Los Angeles Rams in a rivalry matchup in Melbourne, Australia, which Netflix will stream.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“This convention, it lacks juice right now,” Cusack said. “And remember, they’re going up against the NFL. The first couple of games are Wednesday and Thursday, and now Trump is going to be <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4711234/trump-speak-both-nights-midterm-convention/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">speaking both nights</a>.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cusack noted that Republicans had previously indicated their midterm strategy would focus on concerns regarding <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/socialism/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">socialism</a> and the rise of left-wing candidates.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“A couple months ago, we were hearing from Republicans, ‘We’re going to make this about the socialists,’ kind of a continuation of the State of the Union,” he said. “You know, ‘They’re crazy, we have common sense,’ now we’re hearing it’s all about Trump.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cusack argued that Trump’s <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4684167/trump-approval-rating-new-low-62-percent-disapprove/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">low approval rating</a> makes it a poor strategy for the Republican Party to focus their midterm campaigns on him, although Trump believes his influence can sway swing states.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump announced on Wednesday that he plans to target <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/4711137/trump-ken-paxton-campaign-texas-senate/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">35 races</a> nationwide.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“It’s all about 35 races,” the president said. “I’m going to go to every one of those 35 places, and we’re going to see if we can get everyone elected. You know, I think it’s work. Then we’re going to do the tele town halls. They’re fantastic. They work amazingly.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Cusack stated that Trump’s name recognition may not be sufficient to secure the support the GOP requires.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Right now, they are probably going to lose the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/house-of-representatives/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House</a> again,” Cusack concluded.</p>