GOP candidates distance themselves from Trump as midterm panic spreads
New podcast data, a Fox News firing and open MAGA-media defections point to fraying Republican support for Trump ahead of November.
What to know
- A WSJ analysis of nearly 70,000 hours of podcasts found Trump mentions on conservative shows down almost 70% from their 2024 peak.
- Former Trump-aligned media figures Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly have turned openly critical, with Carlson telling NPR Trump should be removed from office.
- Fox News's firing of Maria Bartiromo for White House coordination has exposed a wider split in conservative media over loyalty to Trump.
- Both Salon and the WSJ report Republican candidates and officials are increasingly anxious about midterm prospects despite Trump's public optimism.
Donald Trump President of the United States
Tucker Carlson Conservative media figure
Megyn Kelly Conservative media figure
Maria Bartiromo Former Fox News anchor
James Talarico Texas state representative running for U.S. Senate
How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlespostscomments
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Reader accuses Trump of running a taxpayer-funded propaganda ad
A social media commenter responding to the Salon piece says Trump is insisting on centering the midterms on himself and has released what they call an illegal, taxpayer-funded propaganda advertisement touting his accomplishments.
“He has even released a taxpayer-funded propaganda ad — which is illegal — touting his alleged accomplishments.”
— CindyWeinstein@zirk.us -
C
"The president won’t shut up. To the chagrin of most of his own party, he is insisting on making the midterms all about him. A narcissist to the core, Trump believes that the only way Republicans win in November is if he is out there bragging & blaming and lying as he always does, because that has been the secret sauce that brings out MAGA voters…
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Salon says GOP candidates are 'running for the hills' from Trump
Salon argues voter anger at Trump is pushing Republican candidates to distance themselves, citing declining podcast enthusiasm, media defections, and an establishment that had treated Trump as infallible since 2024.
“Mentions of Trump’s name per hour on conservative podcasts have fallen nearly 70% from their peak in the run-up to the 2024 election.”
— Wall Street Journal, News outlet, podcast analysis · source -
1 outlet first by Mastodon, 10h ago · read ↗
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I wouldn't be surprised if all of them go running to kiss Trump's prodigious buttocks when the election is over.
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- 1 day quiet
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WSJ reports Republicans starting to panic before midterms
The Wall Street Journal reports that despite Trump's public predictions of midterm success, Republican officials and strategists are increasingly anxious about the party's prospects.
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2 outlets first by WSJ, 1d ago · also Wall Street Journal · read ↗
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background
Fox News fires Maria Bartiromo over White House coordination — Fox News dismissed anchor Maria Bartiromo for coordinating with the White House, a move Salon frames as exposing a schism in conservative media even as Fox hosts Hannity and Ingraham remain close to Trump.
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Carlson and Kelly turn openly critical of Trump — Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, once allied with Trump's media coalition, have become openly antagonistic; Kelly has attacked alleged Trump family corruption and Carlson told NPR Trump should be removed from office.
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WSJ finds Trump mentions on conservative podcasts down nearly 70% — A Wall Street Journal analysis of almost 70,000 hours of podcast content found conservative hosts talking about Trump far less than during the 2024 campaign, with many instead attacking Democrats.