President Donald Trump seems to have thrown caution to the wind to pursue his own priorities, according to a new report.
The 79-year-old president has endorsed loyalist candidates in GOP primaries that might face a stiffer challenge in November's general election and prioritized costly and unpopular projects as gas prices related to his Iran war further drive up cost of living concerns, and NOTUS reported that Republicans are growing concerned.
"With less than 24 weeks until Election Day," NOTUS reported, "Trump seems almost maniacally focused on doing and saying things that could harm Republicans’ chances of keeping their House and Senate majorities in November."
Trump endorsed scandal-plagued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn in a primary race, directly contradicting Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other GOP leadership. The move came after Republicans spent $90 million supporting Cornyn, largely to secure Trump's endorsement, and Cornyn, who has raised more than $400 million for Republican candidates during his career, now faces a primary challenge that could divert resources to a costly Texas race when the party needs funds in battleground states like Georgia, Michigan, Maine and Ohio.
Trump's endorsement of Paxton angered Senate Republicans, though few expressed frustration publicly, apparently fearing they could become targets themselves. Some Republicans questioned Vice President JD Vance's claim that Cornyn wasn't there for Trump "when it really counted," noting that Cornyn served as GOP whip during Trump's first administration.
Trump has also continued promoting a $1 billion White House ballroom project, speaking publicly about the construction nearly every day. The initiative complicates efforts to secure congressional funding for Secret Service operations, as lawmakers increasingly link the two issues. With voters expressing concerns about inflation and healthcare costs, the ballroom's high profile has become a political liability for Republicans seeking reelection.
Additionally, the administration created a $1.776 billion "weaponization" compensation fund to pay Americans who claim targeting by federal agencies under Democratic administrations. Thune issued a rare rebuke, questioning the fund's purpose, but acting Attorney General Todd Blanche insisted that "anybody" could qualify, including individuals like Hunter Biden, raising questions about the fund's actual scope and eligibility criteria.
Trump has targeted other Republicans for defeat, including Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), further straining relationships within the GOP caucus. The president has also pulled U.S. combat troops from Europe, promoted "Trump battleships" for the Navy, and allowed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to campaign against Republican opponents.
Meanwhile, as gas prices skyrocket due to the Iran war, Trump characterized the price increases as a "very small price to pay" for the conflict.
Republican senators remain publicly restrained in their criticism, apparently concerned about becoming Trump's next targets as the party works to maintain its narrow majorities in an increasingly contentious election year.