According to a report by CNN, which used data from AdImpact, Donald Trump was mentioned in only 12 of over 500 Republican TV ads promoting candidates in the 2024 midterms between September 1 and 15. These 12 ads cost a combined $1 million, while the total investment in ads during the same period was $160 million. The analysis found that Republican campaigns were more focused on criticizing Democratic opponents than on associating with Trump or promoting his record in office. In contrast, Trump was referenced in 95 Democratic ads during the first two weeks of September, with $23 million spent on those ads, many of which linked conservative candidates to the president and his agenda. Trump has pushed to remain central to Republican campaigning, even though his approval ratings have been low. These ratings have been affected by issues like the ongoing conflict with Iran and the rising cost of living. Trump has urged conservative voters to "pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot" and recently headlined a midterms convention in Texas, where he promised $5,000 checks to supporters if the GOP retained control of Congress. A recent Financial Times/Focaldata poll found that 46 percent of people believed Trump’s record since he returned to power in January 2025 had made it harder for conservatives to win their races. A majority of Democrats and independents agreed with this view, and even 30 percent of right-wing voters did as well. On the other hand, only 26 percent of the same group thought Trump’s actions had helped GOP candidates. The same poll revealed that 43 percent of Americans felt that a Trump endorsement could do more harm than good to a Republican candidate. Some candidates have started removing references to Trump from their websites or telling the president’s team they don’t want him to campaign in their districts. A senior Republican working on a competitive House race told Politico, "We’ve told them he cannot come," while another House GOP competitor described the advice from pollsters as "You’re f***ed if you mention him too much, and you’re also f***ed if you don’t stay in his good graces." A veteran Republican ad strategist, who wished to remain anonymous, told CNN, "The president is not the best message or our best messenger at this point."