Trump political adviser is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about GOP in upcoming midterms

A top political adviser to President Trump said he is “cautiously optimistic” that Republicans can keep control of Congress in November, despite political headwinds for the party and the president’s sinking approval ratings.

“I won’t predict, you know, how many seats are going to be in either chamber come November,” James Blair told NBC News’s podcast, “Here’s the Scoop: Election Edition.” “But, I do think there is a path for us to retain both majorities and defy history.”

Blair served as White House deputy chief of staff until April, and now oversees MAGA Inc., the Trump-aligned super PAC that is expected to spend heavily on the midterms.

His comments come as Republicans face an unfavorable political environment ahead of the midterm elections, as recent polling shows voters souring over Trump’s job performance, specifically his handling of the economy and the deeply unpopular Iran war.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Friday showed voters would rather see Democrats regain control of the House over Republicans, if the midterms were held now.

Blair acknowledged the challenges, but argued that Republicans still have time to plead their case to voters.

“There is a national backdrop against which things are being fought, and there are local considerations and sort of very specific considerations that a good campaign will be able to utilize both of,” Blair said.

As part of their midterm strategy, Republicans are working to ramp up the turnout of GOP voters ahead of November.

Trump closed out the Republican National Committee (RNC) midterm convention in Dallas on Thursday by asking supporters to pledge to vote and bring their friends and family to the polls.

“You know what happens if you don’t vote? You go to hell,” Trump joked . “So please go and vote.”

Blair said Trump is particularly helpful in turning out people who supported him in the 2024 presidential election but do not regularly vote in midterms.

“Democrats are already using him as a turnout tool for their voters, whether Republicans do that or not,” he said.

Blair further downplayed concerns about the political impact of the six-month Iran war and on concerns about the economy, saying the Trump administration is dealing with inflation that he blamed on former President Biden.

“We’re still cleaning up that mess, and we need more time to finish the job,” Blair said. “That’s what we’re asking for in November.”

MAGA Inc. has been spending its large cash reserves on key races. Trump said last month that he had raised about $850 million and planned to spend “a lot” of the money helping Republicans win their elections.