Published On 4/26/2026
The Republican Party in the United States is seeking to formulate a new strategy, in preparation for the midterm elections scheduled for next November, in the face of the challenges of rising fuel prices in America and the decline in the popularity of US President Donald Trump, against the backdrop of the continuing war in Iran, according to American sources.
The party faces an uphill battle to retain its majority in the House of Representatives, and faces a high probability of losing control of the Senate.
The American midterm elections are elections that are held two years after the election of the president, and allow the renewal of all seats in the House of Representatives, in addition to a third of the seats in the Senate, and their results may directly affect the work program of the governor of the White House for the remainder of his presidential term.
According to Reuters, a closed meeting was held last week with senior conservative officials in the election campaign, during which Trump’s political advisors developed a plan for the candidates to promote the Republican Party’s policies related to cutting taxes and combating inflation.
But Republicans want to avoid keeping Trump the focus of the election campaign, as policy makers fear that the candidates will be negatively affected by the decline in his political popularity, amid growing concern among party activists that the US president is losing popular support and political influence.
After campaigning in 2024 criticizing “stupid wars” and describing himself as a “peace president,” Trump is now overseeing the largest US military operation since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The Iran war exacerbates Republican fears
Reuters concluded that Trump is mired in a dilemma with Iran, especially with the failure of military and diplomatic efforts to achieve the goal of ending the Iranian nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, two months after the outbreak of war.
Rising gasoline prices also threaten to unravel the new tax policies of “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” the landmark legislative achievement of Trump’s second term.
A poll – conducted by Reuters/Ipsos – showed that only 36% of Americans are satisfied with Trump’s performance in office, which is the lowest rate in his current term.
Many Americans, including Republicans, feel some concern about the president’s character and ability to make sound judgments after previous outbursts of anger.
Trump’s declining support may also provide fertile ground for Democrats to link Republican candidates to the president’s mistakes.
The new strategy
Republicans initially planned to portray Trump as the party’s standard bearer, but now they doubt that plan will work, so they will seek to focus on domestic issues rather than loyalty to the president.
Another source familiar with the meeting said voters don’t feel the president is doing enough to make the cost of living cheaper, but they still believe “Republicans want to do it.”
The Trump administration did not expect Iran’s response
Critics say the Trump administration did not take into account how Iran would respond to the joint US-Israeli attack or the massive economic repercussions, including the biggest shock ever to global energy supplies and the risk of a global financial recession.
Many saw Trump’s decision last Tuesday to extend the ceasefire indefinitely – even though it was originally scheduled for two weeks – as a retreat from his position, with Tehran continuing its control over the Strait of Hormuz and adhering to its nuclear program.
The former negotiator for Middle East affairs in Democratic and Republican administrations, Aaron David Miller, said that Iran believes it has influence thanks to the vital Strait of Hormuz, adding that it can also bear greater economic suffering compared to Trump.
Miller, an expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, added, “The Iranians believe that Trump’s ability to bear the economic and political costs is limited. They are willing to bet on the time factor until his term ends.”
Another point of view
However, Republican National Committee press secretary Kirsten Bales said Trump would remain the “strongest driver” in attracting conservative voters in the midterm elections, and that Republican candidates were eager to win his support.
While White House spokeswoman Olivia Wells said that Trump is “the most prominent leader of the Republican Party, and he is committed to maintaining the Republican majority in Congress.”
Some Republicans are quick to point out that the midterm elections are still months away, and that a lot could change before the vote, pointing out that if military actions with Iran subside, gasoline prices may fall and inflation may decline.
