GOP pollster highlights ‘dangerous’ Trump midterm strategy

Republican pollster Frank Luntz on Monday called President Trump’s midterm strategy “dangerous,” with the GOP dealing with rocky political territory as Election Day nears.

“There’s always been a historical advantage to the party out of power in the midterms, particularly in the first midterms, and we see that now, that there’s an energy challenge for GOP voters, and that’s what the president is trying to address,” Luntz told CNN’s Audie Cornish on “CNN This Morning,” referring to Trump’s repeated calls for Republicans to pretend that he’s on the ballot in November.

“Now, here’s the issue: When he is on the ballot, his people come out, they participate,” Luntz continued. “They did in the on-year elections, 2016 and 2024, and they did not in 2018, and they did not as much even when Joe Biden was the president … for the 2022 election, so that’s what he’s trying to do.”

However, Trump is facing an unpopularity crisis with the American public as the midterms inch closer. According to a polling average from Decision Desk HQ, the president’s approval rating was sitting at 38.3 percent on Tuesday morning, with his disapproval rating at 59.8 percent.

The president and his party are also dealing with issues like the unpopular Iran war, concerns about the cost of living and criticism of their immigration enforcement tactics.

“His numbers, his support is not as strong today as it has been in the past, so it’s a very dangerous strategy. But he needs his people to vote in a place like Texas,” Luntz said.

Earlier this month, during the Republican National Committee’s first midterm convention in Dallas, Trump told the crowd, “I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot.”

“Just one more time, because if we lose, you’re going to lose your border, you’re going to lose your tax cuts. You’re going to lose your safety and security. You’re going to lose your wealth,” the president added.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.