In a stark warning to his own party, veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove has declared that former President Donald Trump is steering the GOP toward a potential disaster in the upcoming midterm elections. Rove's critique, published in his latest column for The Wall Street Journal, takes aim at Trump's social media outbursts and what he sees as a detachment from the economic realities facing voters.
A Growing Chorus of Republican Concern
Rove, a senior adviser to former President George W. Bush, has joined a growing number of party figures expressing alarm. He argues that Trump's divisive comments and messaging are actively courting electoral failure. "The president’s grotesqueries have to stop," Rove wrote bluntly in his Wednesday column.
He draws a direct parallel between Trump and President Joe Biden, suggesting both have made the same critical error. Rove pointed to Biden's promotion of "Bidenomics" while Americans grappled with inflation as an example of being "disconnected from reality." He called the tactic of telling voters to ignore their own financial struggles "politically insane." According to Rove, "Mr. Trump is doing the same thing."
Missteps on the Economy and Beyond
Rove's column highlights specific instances where he believes Trump has faltered. He notes that Trump has repeatedly "mocked the affordability issue" that is a top concern for many citizens. In a recent address, Trump falsely claimed prices for "everything" are falling and that "inflation is stopped," statements at odds with widespread economic data and voter experience.
Perhaps more damaging, Rove argues, are actions that alienate Trump's own base. He cited Trump's decision to use his Truth Social platform to attack filmmaker Rob Reiner shortly after Reiner and his wife were murdered. Rove characterized this as a "self-absorbed" act that consumed the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Such inflammatory remarks, Rove wrote, diminish Trump in the eyes of his supporters and chew up "valuable time that should be spent winning over tepid supporters."
The Urgent Timeline for Change
Time is running short, Rove warns. With fewer than 11 months until the elections, he urges the Trump team to refocus. Citing a Real Clear Politics approval rating average of 43.6% for Trump, Rove insists the former president "should be focused on building Americans’ trust." He is not alone in his concern; Fox News personalities like Laura Ingraham and Bill O'Reilly have also predicted midterm trouble for the Republicans.
Rove concluded with a dire assessment and a final caution. "The White House is on the wrong track," he stated. "It had better get its messaging right — both its formal attempts at directing the conversation and Mr. Trump’s spontaneous social-media rants. Or else the president won’t like the outcome." For the Republican Party, the message from one of its most seasoned architects is clear: change course or face the consequences at the ballot box.
