GOP strategist: ‘Donald wants to spend money on himself,’ not on Senate races

Republicans hold narrow majorities in both chambers heading into November, and the party’s own operatives are getting blunt about the money problem. Doug Heye told CNN that the party’s prospects are bleak, according to Mediaite. Asked why Trump has not opened his war chest, Heye said, “Donald wants to spend money on himself.”

Heye is not an outside critic. He was communications director for the Republican National Committee during the 2010 midterms and deputy chief of staff for communications to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. He said Republicans know their back is against the wall, pointing to historical midterm patterns and to where the president’s numbers are.

Those numbers are rough. Trump hit 33% approval in August in Reuters/Ipsos polling, the lowest of any point in his presidency in that survey, with 64% disapproving. Voters are worried about inflation, the economy, and the war with Iran, and Heye said Trump’s message is not landing. He noted that Trump tells voters the country has never been hotter or richer while voters do not feel it.

He still treats politics like an episode of The Apprentice

Heye’s explanation was that Trump does not want to give things away, preferring that Republicans earn his support. That framing is why he said The Apprentice is still playing out inside the party’s finance operation. Candidates have spent months asking for help that has not arrived.

The numbers back the complaint. MAGA Inc. reported more than $403 million in cash at the end of July, an amount that dwarfs what most party committees are carrying, yet it sat mostly idle through the summer. Voters have been feeling the economic squeeze regardless, which is why arguments like Bill O’Reilly’s advice to invest have landed badly.

That changed on Saturday, when the super PAC disclosed a $10 million television and digital buy in the Texas Senate race. Half goes to boosting Ken Paxton and half to attacking Democrat James Talarico. It is MAGA Inc.’s first general-election expenditure of the cycle.

Texas is only competitive because Trump intervened in the primary to help Paxton beat Sen. John Cornyn over the objections of Senate GOP leadership. Talarico raised $68 million through the end of June against Paxton’s $9 million and has run a heavy summer ad presence. Democrats are contesting Senate seats across the map, including Maine, where Troy Jackson entered the race.

Trump insists the money is coming. He told reporters on Friday he would spend whatever amount is necessary, and said MAGA Inc. would likely put $400 million to $500 million into the midterms. However, he also stressed the funds are his to control and said he could hold some until 2028, when he is barred from running again.

The timing is what worries operatives, as ad inventory in competitive markets gets scarcer and more expensive the closer it gets to Election Day. It’s important to note that Heye’s second complaint was about message, not just money. He argued the ads Trump prefers promote the president rather than the candidates on the ballot.

That approach goes on display in Dallas this week, at a midterm convention Trump helped plan. More than 100 House members and candidates are expected, each required to pay $25,000 for tickets and lodging, and Trump has asked voters to pretend he is on the ballot.