Increasing Number of Republicans Break Away From Trump

WHO:

CNN - Rep. Ashley Hinson stated that “the war needs to be brought to a successful and immediate end” on X.

CNN - Rep. Byron Donalds expressed “concerns” about Trump’s proposal to give every adult US citizen $5,000 if Republicans keep the House and Senate in November.

NBC News - Rep. Ashley Hinson is the GOP nominee for Senate in Iowa and stated that “the war needs to be brought to a successful and immediate end.”

CNN - Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar criticized President Trump’s deportation campaign in a commercial, stating, “Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far. The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

NBC News - Rep. Byron Donalds is the GOP gubernatorial nominee in Florida and has scrubbed numerous prominent references to Trump from his updated campaign website.

CNN - Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar stated in an ad that “some Hispanic voters feel betrayed” by Trump’s immigration enforcement activities.

NBC News - Rep. Young Kim is running in a district that Trump won by 12 points in 2024.

NBC News - Rep. Andy Barr is running for Senate in Kentucky, a state Trump won by 32 points in 2024.

CNN - Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar's district in Florida has an R+6 rating in the Cook Partisan Voting Index.

NBC News - Rep. Byron Donalds is the GOP gubernatorial nominee in Florida and has scrubbed numerous prominent references to Trump from his updated campaign website.

NBC News - Rep. Young Kim is a GOP candidate in California who has also made changes to her campaign website to distance herself from Trump.

NBC News - Rep. Ashley Hinson is the GOP nominee for Senate in Iowa and stated that “the war needs to be brought to a successful and immediate end.”

CNN - Rep. Byron Donalds expressed “concerns” about Trump’s proposal to give every adult US citizen $5,000 if Republicans keep the House and Senate in November.

NBC News - Rep. Ashley Hinson is the GOP nominee for Senate in Iowa.

CNN - Rep. Byron Donalds is the GOP gubernatorial nominee in Florida.

Alternet - National Review Senior Political Correspondent Jim Geraghty stated that “Trumpism is exhausted” and warned that the GOP is poised to pay the price for President Trump’s “erratic” leadership.

NBC News - Republicans breaking away from President Trump include Reps. Zach Nunn, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, Byron Donalds, Young Kim, Andy Barr, Maria Elvira Salazar, and Monica De La Cruz.

CNN - Senate nominee Josh Turek is mentioned as a Democratic candidate in Iowa.

WHAT:

CNN - A Marist College poll showed Josh Turek leading by 8 points among registered voters in Iowa.

Alternet - A new Trump-affiliated PAC, Never Go Back, has spent over $2 million on ads and mailers in Florida’s 25th Congressional District.

CNN - A new CNN poll indicates that only 26% of US adults approve of Trump's handling of the Iran war, a decline from previous polling.

Alternet - A new Trump-affiliated PAC, Never Go Back, has spent $6 million on GOP races in districts that Trump carried by double digits in the 2024 election.

Alternet - In Florida’s 25th Congressional District, the PAC has spent over $2 million on ads and mailers, despite the district being redrawn to a Trump +9.2 district.

CNN - A new CNN poll indicates that only 27% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the economy, a decline of 22 points since 2018.

CNN - 44% of registered voters view their congressional vote as a message of opposition to Trump, while only 19% say it will be a message of support for him.

Alternet - A new Trump-affiliated PAC, Never Go Back, has spent $6 million on GOP races in districts that Trump carried by double digits in the 2024 election.

CNN - A new CNN poll indicates that only 26% of US adults approve of Trump's handling of the Iran war, a decline from previous polling.

Alternet - The Trump-affiliated PAC, Never Go Back, has spent $6 million on GOP races in districts Trump carried by double digits in the 2024 election.

Alternet - In Florida’s 25th Congressional District, the PAC has spent over $2 million on ads and mailers, despite the district being redrawn to a Trump +9.2 district.

CNN - A new CNN poll indicates that only 27% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the economy, a decline of 22 points since 2018.

CNN - 44% of registered voters view their congressional vote as a message of opposition to Trump, while only 19% say it will be a message of support for him.

Alternet - A new Trump-affiliated PAC, Never Go Back, has spent $6 million on GOP races in districts that Trump carried by double digits in the 2024 election.

CNN - A new CNN poll showed just 26% of US adults approve of Trump’s handling of the Iran war, a number that has gradually worsened.

CNN - A Marist College poll showed Josh Turek leading by 8 points among registered voters in Iowa, indicating a competitive Senate race.

CNN - A Marist College poll showed Josh Turek leading by 8 points among registered voters in Iowa.

CNN - Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar stated in an ad that “the same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

CNN - Rep. Monica De La Cruz touted her work to free a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient in an ad.

Alternet - Rep. María Elvira Salazar criticized President Trump’s deportation campaign in a commercial, stating, “Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far. The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

Alternet - Geraghty noted that Democrats are expected to have easy wins in Senate races in North Carolina and Georgia, and that Senate contests in Iowa and Ohio are looking neck and neck.

NBC News - GOP candidates are distancing themselves from President Trump.

CNN - Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks voted to limit Trump’s war powers.

CNN - Ashley Hinson stated on X that “the war needs to be brought to a successful and immediate end.”

CNN - Mike Rogers released an ad stating, “The war with Iran needs to end — and end quickly.”

CNN - A Marist College poll showed Josh Turek leading by 8 points among registered voters in Iowa.

CNN - Byron Donalds scrubbed references to Trump from his campaign website and expressed concerns about Trump’s proposal to give every adult US citizen $5,000.

CNN - Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar stated that some Hispanic voters “feel betrayed” by Trump’s immigration enforcement activities.

CNN - Rep. Monica De La Cruz touted her work to free a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient.

WHERE:

Alternet - Florida’s 25th Congressional District is now rated as 'Lean D' by Fox News.

Alternet - Texas's 35th District was redrawn to a Trump +10 district.

Alternet - Florida’s 25th Congressional District is now rated as 'Lean D' by Fox News.

CNN - Rep. Monica De La Cruz's district in Texas was won by Trump by 18 points in 2024.

Alternet - Florida’s 25th Congressional District is now rated as 'Lean D' by Fox News.

Alternet - Florida’s 25th Congressional District, which was redrawn to a Trump +9.2 district, is now rated as 'Lean D' by Fox News.

CNN - Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar's district in Florida has an R+6 rating in the Cook Partisan Voting Index.

CNN - Rep. Monica De La Cruz's district in Texas was won by Trump by 18 points in 2024.

NBC News - The defections are occurring in various states, including Iowa, Florida, California, and Texas.

CNN - Trump won Iowa by 13 points in 2024, Nunn’s district by 5 points, and Miller-Meeks’ by 9 points.

CNN - Trump carried Florida by 13 points and Kentucky by 15 points in 2024.

WHEN:

CNN - The vote to limit Trump’s war powers occurred last week.

CNN - Ashley Hinson's statement on X was made on the same day as Mike Rogers' ad release.

WHY:

Alternet - Jim Geraghty warned that the indicators of a blue wave in the 2026 midterms are adding up, suggesting the GOP needs to unglue itself from Trump.

CNN - The GOP is facing a potential disaster in the midterms, with polling indicating that many deep red districts are now competitive.

Alternet - Jim Geraghty warned that the indicators of a blue wave in the 2026 midterms are adding up, suggesting the GOP needs to unglue itself from Trump.

CNN - The GOP is facing a potential disaster in the midterms, with polling indicating that many deep red districts are now competitive.

CNN - The economic backdrop has worsened, with 66% of registered voters calling the economy "extremely important" to their vote, a higher percentage than in previous midterms.

Alternet - Jim Geraghty warned that the indicators of a blue wave in the 2026 midterms are adding up, suggesting the GOP needs to unglue itself from Trump.

Alternet - Geraghty argues that the Republican Party needs to make “serious decisions” with the 2028 elections approaching, as the typical Republican voter has shifted significantly due to Trump’s influence.

CNN - The defections are attributed to President Trump’s historically low approval ratings, particularly regarding his handling of the Iran war, which is at 26% approval among US adults.

HOW:

Alternet - Trump-affiliated groups are spending over $1 million in Texas's 35th District, which was redrawn to a Trump +10 district.

CNN - GOP candidates are subtly distancing themselves from Trump through website changes and public statements rather than outright breaks.

Alternet - Trump-affiliated groups are spending over $1 million in Texas's 35th District, which was redrawn to a Trump +10 district.

Alternet - Trump-affiliated groups are spending over $1 million in Texas's 35th District, which was redrawn to a Trump +10 district, indicating a defensive strategy in previously safe areas.

CNN - Byron Donalds scrubbed numerous prominent references to Trump from his updated campaign website, a move echoed by other GOP candidates in deep-red districts.

CNN - Byron Donalds scrubbed numerous prominent references to Trump from his updated campaign website.

Alternet - Geraghty highlighted that the GOP has retreated from free trade and embraced adversaries like Russia and China, indicating a dramatic shift in party policy.

CNN - GOP candidates are subtly distancing themselves from Trump through website changes and public statements rather than outright breaks.

(UPDATED September 23, 2026 21:58 UTC)

Rep. Ashley Hinson emphasized the need for an immediate end to the war, while Rep. Byron Donalds raised concerns about Trump’s proposal to provide every adult U.S. citizen with $5,000 if Republicans maintain control of Congress in the upcoming elections. A recent Marist College poll shows Josh Turek leading by eight points among registered voters in Iowa, and in Florida’s 25th Congressional District, a new Trump-affiliated PAC has invested over $2 million in ads and mailers, which is now rated as 'Lean D' by Fox News. Meanwhile, Texas's 35th District has been redrawn to a Trump +10 district, with Trump-affiliated groups spending over $1 million there as warnings of a potential blue wave in the 2026 midterms continue to surface.

(UPDATED September 23, 2026 20:58 UTC)

Rep. Ashley Hinson has been named the GOP nominee for Senate in Iowa, emphasizing the need for an immediate end to the ongoing war. Meanwhile, a recent CNN poll shows that only 26% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's handling of the Iran war, reflecting a significant drop in support, while a Trump-affiliated PAC has invested $6 million in GOP races in districts he previously won by large margins. As the 2026 midterms approach, some GOP candidates are beginning to distance themselves from Trump, making subtle changes to their campaigns and public statements to adapt to shifting voter sentiments.

(UPDATED September 23, 2026 19:59 UTC)

Rep. Byron Donalds has been named the GOP gubernatorial nominee in Florida, but he has removed several prominent references to Trump from his campaign website. Meanwhile, a new CNN poll reveals that only 27% of Americans approve of Trump's economic handling, marking a significant drop since 2018, and 44% of registered voters view their congressional vote as a message of opposition to him. As the GOP faces challenges in the upcoming midterms, candidates are increasingly distancing themselves from Trump through subtle changes in their public messaging and campaign materials.

(UPDATED September 23, 2026 18:59 UTC)

Rep. Young Kim is campaigning in a district that Trump won by 12 points in 2024, while Rep. Andy Barr is running for Senate in Kentucky, a state where Trump secured a 32-point victory that same year. A recent CNN poll shows that only 26% of US adults approve of Trump's handling of the Iran war, marking a decline in support, as Trump-affiliated PACs like Never Go Back have invested $6 million in GOP races in districts Trump carried by double digits. Meanwhile, Florida's 25th Congressional District, despite being redrawn to a Trump +9.2 rating, is now considered 'Lean D' by Fox News, highlighting the GOP's struggle in what were once solidly red areas.

(UPDATED September 23, 2026 13:58 UTC)

In a significant shift, Rep. Byron Donalds has been named the GOP gubernatorial nominee in Florida, but he has removed many references to Trump from his campaign website, while Rep. Young Kim in California has also distanced herself from the former president in her campaign updates. A new CNN poll reveals that only 27% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the economy, marking a steep decline, and 44% of registered voters see their congressional vote as a message of opposition to him. Meanwhile, Trump-affiliated groups are investing heavily in key districts, including over $1 million in Texas's 35th District, as they navigate a challenging political landscape where 66% of voters consider the economy extremely important to their decisions.

(UPDATED September 23, 2026 11:57 UTC)

Rep. Ashley Hinson has officially become the GOP nominee for Senate in Iowa, emphasizing the need for an immediate end to the ongoing war. Meanwhile, Rep. Byron Donalds has raised concerns about Trump’s proposal to give every adult US citizen $5,000 if Republicans maintain control of Congress in the upcoming elections. In a sign of shifting political dynamics, a Marist College poll shows Josh Turek leading by eight points among registered voters in Iowa, while Donalds has removed several prominent references to Trump from his campaign website, reflecting a broader trend among GOP candidates in solidly Republican areas.

(UPDATED September 23, 2026 10:59 UTC)

Rep. Ashley Hinson has officially secured the GOP nomination for Senate in Iowa, while Rep. Byron Donalds is the GOP gubernatorial nominee in Florida. A recent Marist College poll shows Josh Turek leading by eight points among registered voters in Iowa, and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar has expressed in an ad that “the same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.” In a notable shift, Byron Donalds has removed several prominent references to Trump from his updated campaign website, as concerns grow about the GOP's alignment with the former president ahead of the upcoming midterms.

(UPDATED September 22, 2026 23:59 UTC)

National Review Senior Political Correspondent Jim Geraghty has declared that "Trumpism is exhausted," warning that the GOP may face consequences for President Trump’s erratic leadership as the 2028 elections draw near. In a recent commercial, Rep. María Elvira Salazar criticized Trump’s deportation campaign, expressing that many Hispanics who supported him in 2024 now feel betrayed. Geraghty also pointed out that Democrats are likely to have an advantage in Senate races in North Carolina and Georgia, while contests in Iowa and Ohio are shaping up to be very competitive.

(UPDATED September 22, 2026 23:00 UTC)

Republicans are increasingly distancing themselves from Trump, with several representatives, including Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, voting to limit his war powers and expressing concerns about his policies. Meanwhile, a Marist College poll shows Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek leading by eight points among registered voters in Iowa, as Trump’s approval ratings continue to plummet, especially regarding his handling of the Iran war. In a notable shift, Byron Donalds has scrubbed references to Trump from his campaign website, reflecting a broader trend among GOP candidates to subtly distance themselves from the former president.