Trump wants the midterms to be all about him. Based on Democrats' ads, they are happy to oblige
Democrats make Trump a focus
Democratic campaigns and allied groups have aired Trump-referencing ads nearly 180,000 times on broadcast, cable and streaming since Sept. 1. Republicans have aired such ads about 16,000 times, spending an estimated $11 million over the same period.
Many Democratic ads argue that Republican opponents put Trump ahead of voters, especially on tariffs and the Iran war. They blame those issues for increasing costs.
Campaigns target vulnerable Republicans
Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, seeking reelection, has spent nearly $3 million on an ad criticizing rival Mike Collins for his relationship with Trump. The ad says Collins backed the Iran war and tariffs, which it links to higher fuel and grocery prices.
In Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District, every Democratic ad aired since Sept. 1 has mentioned Trump, though incumbent Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick opposed Trump’s tariffs and his authority to wage war against Iran without congressional approval. Four such ads have aired a combined 2,000 times; Democrat Bob Harvie is challenging Fitzpatrick.
Parties differ on their message
Republican National Committee spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre said Democrats’ focus on Trump showed they lacked an agenda. House Majority PAC spokesperson Katarina Flicker said voters’ main concern was affordability and that they blamed corrupt politicians for rising prices.
Trump was the fourth most common issue in Democratic House and Senate ads, behind health care, taxes and claims that opponents answer to special interests. In Republican ads, Trump ranked 33rd; taxes and crime were the leading topics. Democrats have spent or plan to spend $1.8 billion across elections since Sept. 1, compared with $2.2 billion spent or reserved by Republicans.
Key points
- Democrats have spent more than $163 million on Trump-referencing television ads since Sept. 1.
- Republicans have aired far fewer ads mentioning Trump, according to AdImpact data.
- Democratic ads frequently connect Republican candidates to Trump and rising costs.
- Republicans have spent or reserved more overall for advertising across elections.