'The picture is grim': Conservative outlet flags 'warning signs' that GOP is losing ground

The GOP was riding high, but is now being anchored down by a "political dud," according to a conservative outlet.

The Washington Examiner, widely considered to be right-wing, on Saturday published a report called, "Chuck’s in luck? Warning signs ahead for Republicans in next year’s Senate races."

"Just a few months ago, Republicans were riding high, giddy after having passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law. But as the saying goes, a few weeks can be an eternity in politics. And as autumn kicks in, it’s clear that cheer is turning into fear," the weekend article states. "What gives? And what does it mean for the 2026 Senate races? As is usually the case with midterm elections in the Trump era, the answer is: 'It’s complicated.'"

According to the report, there is one major concern for the Republicans.

"A big problem facing the GOP as 2026 draws near is that while the tax cuts in the GOP megabill should be popular, the legislation is overall proving to be a political dud with a 64% disapproval rating — hence reports that President Donald Trump is looking to rebrand it as the 'Working Families Tax Cut Bill.' Some voters fret about Medicaid cuts hurting the poor. Some worry about the possibly adverse impact on hospitals. Some fear the debt and deficit implications," the article says. "Add to this that inflation sits higher than it was at the same point last year and about a percentage point above the Federal Reserve’s target rate, and it’s likely Republican Senate candidates will have to run with some semblance of an inflation anchor next year, just as former Vice President Kamala Harris did last year. Sixty-one percent of those polled by the Economist and YouGov disapprove of Trump on inflation."

It continues:

"So the picture is grim — and that’s discounting the fact that the party that controls the White House generally tends to do worse in the first midterm election of each presidency. Crazy though it may seem, the GOP could indeed be staring down a situation in which Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) ends up back in charge and gridlock once again becomes the name of the game in Washington, D.C."

Read the full report here (subscription required).