Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's attempt to galvanize Donald Trump's base for the upcoming midterm elections has inadvertently become a rallying point for Democrats. Leavitt urged voters during a Thursday evening Fox News interview to "get out and vote like President Trump is on the ballot."
Trump himself has echoed this sentiment at recent rallies, advising supporters to "pretend I’m on the ballot." However, with a protracted war, rising fuel prices, and a declining approval rating, Leavitt's advice may instead motivate voters who oppose Trump's agenda to cast their ballots.
Historically, the president's party tends to lose congressional seats during midterm elections. This year, polls suggest the Republican Party could face significant losses, largely attributed to Trump's historically low approval ratings. Democrats are currently considered strong favorites to win control of the House of Representatives, and many analysts now believe they have a realistic chance of flipping the Senate, a scenario that seemed unlikely just months ago.
Social media users critical of Leavitt's message have responded by stating they will heed her advice and vote "like President Trump is on the ballot," but with the intention of voting against him. One such response came from tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Thanks Leavitt. We will make sure we vote against trump!!!"