CNN Reports House Republicans in ‘Triage Mode’ Over Feared Blue Wave

(J. Scott Applewhite/AP photo)

House Republicans have reportedly entered “triage mode” with the midterm elections just weeks away, as more and more privately worry their chances of keeping control of the legislative body are slipping away.

According to a CNN report published Saturday, Republicans have grown increasingly fearful of President Donald Trump’s standing in internal polling, including in traditionally Republican territory, and some members are now turning their attention to limiting their losses.

Recent Associated Press polling shows the president’s disapproval rating at a whopping 69%. Over the past two days, Trump rallied in three states — Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama — that he won handily in 2024.

These fears have put the party in “triage mode,” CNN’s Sarah Ferris and David Wright wrote, with Republicans talking about redirecting money away from races they now view as difficult to win. Among the seats reportedly being discussed are those held by Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) and Tom Kean (R-NJ), along with an open seat in Nebraska.

Just one day earlier, Semafor separately reported that the GOP-aligned Senate Leadership Fund is pausing what so far has been a $30 million ad campaign backing Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley in North Carolina and redirecting resources to Kansas, where Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) is facing an increasingly competitive race — a development CNN’s political director called “unbelievable.”

Republicans still hold a significant financial advantage over Democrats, though, in the fight for the House. AdImpact data cited by CNN showed Republicans are currently set to outspend Democrats on advertising in each of the 10 priciest House races between Oct. 1 and Election Day. Republicans are also spending heavily in newly redrawn districts in Texas and Florida, which could help offset losses elsewhere.

“At the end of the day, redistricting could be the lifesaver either way – either minimizing the losses or the reason we potentially hold onto the majority,” a GOP leadership aide told CNN.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), meanwhile, remains confident Republicans can retain control. A political aide told the network that Johnson is “absolutely still convinced” the GOP will keep the House and has not removed any seats from consideration.

Though “many Republicans acknowledge[d] to CNN that the souring national environment – fueled by soaring diesel prices, stubborn inflation and hardening opposition to the Iran war – [is] largely out of their control this late in the race,” wrote Ferris and Wright. “They [said] their strategy is now focused on how to limit Democrats to the slimmest majority possible.”

Multiple sources told CNN that the goal in that scenario would be to hold the Democratic advantage to less than 10 seats.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!