Several Senate Republicans are urging former President Donald Trump to shift his public messaging from attacking fellow Republicans to focusing on Democratic opponents, as the party grapples with internal divisions ahead of the midterm elections. The pressure comes amid ongoing debates surrounding the SAVE America Act, an election integrity measure championed by Trump.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated that while Trump believes the SAVE America Act could energize the Republican base, a more effective strategy might be to emphasize the need for more Republican senators. "Everybody has their own ideas about how best to communicate our message, but I think our message between now and November ought to be why the Democrats are completely out of step with the American people and why we need to elect more Republicans so we can do things like the SAVE America Act," Thune told Fox News Digital.
Republicans are concerned that Trump's tendency to criticize GOP lawmakers for not passing the SAVE America Act places vulnerable incumbents in a difficult position. The legislation has faced multiple unsuccessful attempts to pass in the Senate, with Democrats blocking its advancement and internal party disagreements contributing to its stalled progress. Some proponents, like Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, have publicly voiced frustration with colleagues over the bill's failure to pass.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), warned that internal division could be detrimental to the party's electoral prospects. "There's no doubt that the road to socialism runs right through a divided Republican Party," Scott said. "I hope every American understands that, remembers that, and hears it several times between now and Election Day."
With Republicans holding a slim majority in the Senate and facing a challenging map with several vulnerable incumbents, maintaining and expanding their control is a key objective. Some Republicans believe Trump's influence is crucial for motivating the base. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., reportedly questioned Trump's campaign strategy in a closed-door meeting, inquiring when the former president would begin targeting Democrats instead of his own party members. Daines noted that Trump will be a significant voice in the 2026 election, highlighting the contrast between "common sense versus crazy" policies he attributes to the Democratic Party.
Thune suggested that the SAVE America Act could be framed as a campaign issue, emphasizing that the ultimate success of such legislation hinges on electing more Republican senators. He also cautioned against focusing on internal Beltway disputes, arguing that these issues do not resonate with independent voters. "I mean, that's just not an issue that's going to win the hearts and minds of the American people in November," Thune stated. "So, I'd turn my fire on the Democrats, attack them for being against something that is fundamentally straightforward, simple to understand for the American people, and realize that the best way to get the SAVE Act across the finish line is to elect more Republican senators."