With elections nearing, battleground Republicans still waiting for Trump
to open his campaign wallet
[September 01, 2026]
By THOMAS BEAUMONT and JILL COLVIN
LAS VEGAS (AP) — When Vice President JD Vance stepped on stage in
Michigan on Monday, it was MAGA Inc. writing the check for the campaign
event. It was a rare bit of spending in a battleground state from a
powerful political organization that has mostly been missing in action
this year.
With just over two months to go before the midterm elections, President
Donald Trump is still sitting on most of his colossal war chest, and
he's been growing his money pile instead of spending it.
Even though the president and his team insist they'll open their wallet
soon, frustrations are growing as Republicans try to maintain control of
Congress despite headwinds partially of Trump's own creation. While the
president remains the party's best asset in turning out its base, he is
historically unpopular, with low marks on his handling of the economy
and the ongoing war in Iran that most Americans say was not worth
fighting.
The ticking clock narrows Republicans' options because time on the
airwaves gets more limited and more expensive as the election draws
near.
“Hope springs eternal,” said Republican donor Dan Eberhart, one of many
who have been left wondering about the president’s plans.
Texas is a particular issue, especially after Trump helped
scandal-plagued state Attorney General Ken Paxton beat incumbent Sen.
John Cornyn, turning what was supposed to be a safe Republican seat into
a potential toss up.
Democratic nominee James Talarico has dramatically outraised Paxton,
bringing in more than $68.5 million to Paxton’s $9 million. Talarico had
more than $21.5 million cash on hand at the end of June, versus Paxton’s
$1.75 million.
“We need help from the president,” Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana
Republican, told Fox News over the weekend. “I’m hoping that the
president is going to spend $100 or $200 million in Texas, but he hasn’t
committed to it yet.”
MAGA Inc. is the country's biggest political war chest
MAGA Inc. had more than $403 million at the end of July, according to
the latest campaign finance filings, having brought in another $3
million over the course of the month and having spent practically
nothing. That's more cash than any of the major party committees.
Its only major outlay so far has been in South Carolina, where the group
invested nearly $830,000 on a last-minute get-out-the-vote push to help
Sen. Darline Graham win the Republican nomination to succeed her late
brother Lindsey Graham. The sum included about $774,000 on
get-out-the-vote phone calls and $53,500 on text messages.
In the meantime, Trump has continued to raise money.
He headlined a Republican National Committee fundraiser in Texas last
Thursday and participated in several MAGA Inc. meetings and a dinner at
his golf course in Virginia on Saturday.
The group announced last week that it is planning to hold a series of
rallies in battleground states, which started Monday with the Michigan
event headlined by Vance.
MAGA Inc. will be spending in competitive races, according to an
operative familiar with the group's plans who spoke on condition of
anonymity to discuss the yet-to-be-announced investments.
That is expected to include ads highlighting the president and his
accomplishments, which he has pushed to focus on despite his low
approval ratings, a strategy first reported by The Atlantic.
The delay could have consequences
Some Republican campaign vendors such as advertisers, direct mail
companies and canvassing firms were told in August by MAGA Inc. leaders
to be ready for action. But they have not been made aware of a
comprehensive plan, according to people with knowledge of the situation
who requested anonymity to discuss private deliberations.
[to top of second column]
|
President Donald Trump smiles during an event about drug prices, in
the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in
Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The delays come with consequences. Advertising rates are much higher at
this late date in the campaign than they were in the spring when other
organizations reserved airtime.
Indeed, some Republican strategists familiar with the status of the
president’s still-developing plans said it is almost certainly too late
for outside groups to even purchase advertising in key markets in Texas,
where MAGA Inc. was asked by Senate Republican leadership to commit
resources.
MAGA Inc. has been testing ads for Paxton, including one criticizing
Talarico over rural hospital policy, but the ad has yet to air. People
familiar with conversations said it might run online or on digital
channels instead of on television.
While super PACs have traditionally spent big on television buys, the
group also has other options.
Because the runoff campaign was so brief, the MAGA Inc. team worked to
appeal directly to voters who feel loyal to Trump but are less likely to
vote in non-presidential elections. Aides have discussed a similar
approach in Texas, focused on outreach such as neighborhood canvassing,
phone calls and mail specifically targeting those low-propensity voters,
according to people with knowledge of the discussions.
Some Republican operatives who otherwise worry about limited time
believe such an effort could make a difference as long as MAGA Inc.
commits a significant amount of money to the effort.
Trump promises to spend money
The president and his team have said the money is coming soon.
“Of course,” Trump said when recently asked by Punchbowl News. “I’m
going to help Republicans.”
James Blair, the former White House deputy chief of staff who left to
run Trump's midterm operation, has also said money is on its way.
“The president is going to expend substantial resources to win the
midterms,” he said in June on “The Sean Spicer Show.” “He cares deeply
about the party winning, and anything he can do to support that he’s
going to do and is already doing."
But Trump also has incentives to keep much of the money he has amassed.
As a lame-duck president constitutionally barred from running for a
third term, maintaining a commanding sum in the bank would help him to
continue to wield power. He proved this cycle that he is extremely adept
at ousting members he opposes, and Republican candidates could continue
traveling to Mar-a-Lago to seek his blessing in the years ahead.
As Trump told Punchbowl News about his campaign cash, “I can spend it on
pretty much anything I want."
___
Colvin reported from New York.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
