President Donald Trump is ramping up campaign travel for Republican candidates three weeks before the midterm elections, even as some in his own party publicly challenge parts of his agenda.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday before leaving for a rally in Alaska, Trump defended a deal that temporarily eases U.S. sanctions to allow Russian diesel exports. He said the deal was meant to bring down soaring diesel prices and was “a world deal, not a USA deal.”
Opposition is coming from both chambers. Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, whom Trump was campaigning for Tuesday, has said the country should produce more energy at home rather than import it from Russia. A dozen senators, including six Republicans, sent Trump a letter urging him to rescind the agreement. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania has proposed legislation to block Russian oil purchases and plans to seek a House vote.
Republicans in other competitive races are also breaking with the president. Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers, who has Trump’s endorsement, is campaigning to end the tariff fight with Canada.
Trump said Republican enthusiasm is “way up,” but a Reuters/Ipsos poll found 48% of 2024 Harris voters were very enthusiastic about the midterms, compared with 30% of Trump voters.
The White House also announced a new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, who replaced Karoline Leavitt. In her first briefing, she confirmed the White House had asked Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign. A federal judge has also temporarily blocked the administration from spending more taxpayer money on Trump-promoted television ads.
