Trump’s former campaign manager on GOP ahead of midterms: ‘It’s ugly’

President Trump’s former campaign manager is joining a growing list predicting midterm doom for Republicans, highlighting recent allegations of government corruption as a key reason.

Bill Stepien, who managed Trump’s 2020 campaign and had a stint as White House political director in the president’s first term, told CNN’s Abby Phillip that recent scandals in the administration — namely the ouster of U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle — have contributed to the GOP’s poor showing in most polls.

“We talked a lot about draining the swamp 10 years ago. People wonder what’s changed when they see headlines like Guilfoyle and the trappings and the text messages,” Stepien said. “It’s ugly, and it’s given Democrats an opening.”

Guilfoyle resigned after a series of reports in The Wall Street Journal alleging she asked a GOP donor to help pay her $100,000 credit card bill ahead of her confirmation hearing.

Recent polling shows corruption is a growing issue for Americans heading into the midterms, nearing the importance of cost of living or the economy in some surveys.

Phillip cited a CNBC survey showing 36 percent of registered voters listed government corruption as the most important issue facing the country — higher than the cost of food and groceries.

A Fox News poll found that 90 percent of voters were either extremely or very concerned about government corruption, ahead of those who said the same about inflation and high prices.

The grim mood is contributing to a worsening midterm environment for Republicans, who now trail Democrats on the generic ballot by an average of 7.9 points, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ), The Hill’s partner.

The president is attempting to boost his party by making big promises out on the campaign trail. Earlier this fall, he promised $5,000 to every voter if Republicans held control of Congress.

Trump told voters in North Carolina that Camp Lejeune toxic water settlements would be on the way, but only if the GOP wins.

“If we don’t win, there’s no money,” he said at a rally in Greenville, N.C. “If we do win, you’re getting it.”

He also tied disaster relief funds in a handful of states to Republican victories.

Overall, DDHQ’s forecast favors Democrats in the House with a 79 percent chance to flip the chamber, and narrowly favors them in the Senate, with a narrower 57 percent chance of control.