President Donald Trump's uncontrolled outbursts have made him a "one man wrecking ball" for Republicans in contested seats — and they have no idea how to handle him, an strategist said Monday.
After a decade of almost unhindered fealty, Trump's cheerleaders are now sweating that their association with him — and his wild swings in policy and behavior — could be what destroys their political careers, analysts told the Washington Post.
He's “a one-man wrecking ball” who “guarantees that Republicans running for office can’t talk about what they need to talk about to win,” said Republican strategist Doug Heye.
'He can't help himself."
The Post wrote that Republicans have maintained a decade-long implicit agreement with President Trump — that they would tolerate his inflammatory rhetoric and controversial behavior in exchange for policy victories and judicial appointments.
But in recent months — culminating in a wild ride last week — that arrangement is under increasing strain as Trump creates mounting distractions and liabilities for a party growing anxious about 2026 midterm prospects, the report stated.
Economic disruption from Trump's tariff policies challenged Republican messaging. Deaths of two Americans during a Trump administration immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis further undermined Republican advantages on immigration policy.
Then Friday brought Trump's racist social media post.
A video on Trump's Truth Social account depicted former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as primates, drawing rare bipartisan condemnation. The White House initially defended the content as part of a "Lion King" spoof — a film that does not feature apes. Following Republican criticism including from Senator Tim Scott (SC), the only Black Republican senator, the video was removed.
Trump declined to apologize, stating: "I didn't make a mistake."
The episode coincided with the Dow Jones reaching 50,000 for the first time, the Post noted. Trump celebrated the milestone, telling reporters, "The stock market, the Dow, just hit 50,000, three years ahead of schedule. They said it probably couldn't be done in the four-year period. We did it in one year."
However, Republicans in competitive 2026 races spent the day having to address Trump's racist post rather than touting economic gains. Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) stated, "The President's post is wrong and incredibly offensive—whether intentional or a mistake—and should be deleted immediately with an apology offered." Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) said, "The post was offensive. I'm glad the White House took it down." Representative John James (R-MI) wrote: "I'm glad to see that trash has been taken down."
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, facing her most vulnerable reelection campaign, exemplifies the tension between vulnerable Republicans and Trump. Earlier in the week, Collins appeared at a White House bill-signing ceremony, holding a red hat resembling Trump's campaign merchandise. Her spokesperson framed the appearance as recognition of bipartisan legislative work. Collins condemned Trump's racist post, stating, "Tim is right. This was appalling."
Democratic candidates immediately seized on Collins's White House appearance. Maine Governor Janet Mills commented, "Looks like @SenSusanCollins has moved on from clutching her pearls to clutching her new hat." Democratic primary candidate Graham Platner stated,"Maine didn't vote for this."
Collins's condemnation of Trump's post provided distance from the president but highlighted the week's broader challenge, the Post wrote — Trump's capacity to overshadow Republican electoral strategies and complicate candidates' positioning heading into midterm contests.
