Trump Feuds Leave Republican Candidates Without Key Allies

President Donald Trump's efforts to reshape the Republican Party around loyal allies are creating divisions that could weaken the party in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. Outgoing lawmakers in Texas, North Carolina and Nevada are withholding support from Trump-backed candidates, while Democrats hold advantages in several competitive races, according to reporting by Yahoo, MS NOW and Alternet.

The disputes involve Sen. John Cornyn, Sen. Thom Tillis and Rep.

Mark Amodei, Republicans who have clashed with Trump or opposed his preferred successors. Their decisions have exposed tensions over whether party loyalty requires supporting every Republican nominee, even when departing lawmakers question a candidate's qualifications or electoral prospects.

In Texas, Cornyn has raised more than $1.1 million for other Republican Senate candidates and election organizers, according to Alternet, but has declined to support Attorney General Ken Paxton, who defeated him in the Republican primary with Trump's endorsement. Cornyn has also warned that Paxton's vulnerabilities could give Democrats an opportunity to compete in a state Republicans have controlled for decades.

During the primary runoff, Cornyn maintained his criticism of his opponent.

"Everything I said about him in the primary is true," Cornyn said to reporters.

In North Carolina, Tillis has kept his distance from Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chairman selected by Trump to succeed him. Former Gov. Roy Cooper, the Democratic nominee, has consistently led Whatley in polling, with MS NOW reporting an average advantage exceeding 10 percentage points.

A person familiar with Whatley's campaign told Politico that Tillis failed to follow through on efforts to contact donors who had not committed to the campaign. The source criticized the senator's reduced involvement compared with his earlier efforts to elect Republicans in the state.

"The Tillis of the past year ain't the same guy who worked overtime to help elect Republican majorities here in NC back in 2010," the source said.

Another person familiar with Tillis and North Carolina politics defended his decision to stay out, arguing that Whatley's campaign had struggled throughout 2026 and had failed to establish an independent political identity.

"He doesn't help sure winners or sure losers," the source said.

The source also described Whatley as a candidate whose association with Trump had not translated into a competitive campaign.

"Whatley has been a sure loser throughout 2026, running as Donald Trump's 'guy,' and making zero effort to build his own brand," the source said.

The same source criticized the campaign's performance and said the party faced the prospect of significant losses in the November 3 election.

"All Whatley had to do was to keep this race competitive, but instead the party is facing a potential wipeout. This is an embarrassing effort by a former RNC chairman who only has himself and his consultants to blame for the completely avoidable beat down coming on Nov. 3," the source said.

Tillis, who retired after a dispute with Trump over legislation that included Medicaid cuts, has questioned whether the president's political coalition can remain intact over the long term. In an interview with Politico, he argued that Trump's populist approach may not sustain Republican support once the party returns to traditional policy priorities.

In Nevada, retiring Rep. Mark Amodei has openly rejected the Republican candidate selected to replace him, David Flippo. Amodei voted for a third-party candidate and criticized Trump's endorsement, which helped Flippo secure the Republican nomination in June.

Flippo has faced scrutiny over allegations concerning his military service, residency and campaign finances. Club for Growth, a conservative political organization, and other outside groups have invested millions of dollars in his campaign in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District, which Trump won by 14 percentage points in 2024.

Amodei questioned the judgment behind Trump's intervention in the primary.

"The only criteria shouldn't be, 'Well, they're the Republican,'" Amodei said.

He argued that party affiliation should not override concerns about a candidate's background and conduct.

"At least this crowd is absolutely consistent. Forget fundamental factual and character messes that campaigns won't and can't respond to; and attempt to change the focus to party loyalty," Amodei said.

He also challenged Club for Growth to address the allegations surrounding Flippo rather than focus on party unity.

"Let me know when Club For Growth does a statement on campaign finance compliance, stolen Valor, and individual background transparency," Amodei said.

Club for Growth President David McIntosh criticized Cornyn and Amodei for refusing to support Republican nominees, warning that their decisions could help Democrats win seats.

"The bedwetting from outgoing moderate Republicans will define their legacy and only help socialists get elected," McIntosh said.

McIntosh also accused the lawmakers of prioritizing their public profiles over the party's electoral interests.

"People like John Cornyn and Mark Amodei need to get on board and support Republican nominees and stop posturing for an MSNOW contract," McIntosh said.

Other Republicans defended the departing lawmakers. North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer said he respected their records and their right to express disagreement with the party's direction.

"I never would question the loyalty to the party of Thom Tillis or John Cornyn. Both of them have contributed immensely to our party and our party's successes in the past and I suspect will be going forward," Cramer said.

He added that disagreement with the party leadership did not necessarily indicate disloyalty.

"But I also don't begrudge them for their opinions and their right to be open about them," Cramer said.

The Republican National Committee defended Trump's influence over candidate selection. Spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre argued that Republicans who refuse to assist their party's nominees risk helping the opposition.

"Republicans who chose not to help elect other Republicans may as well be helping Democrats," Baldassarre said.

The divisions extend beyond individual Senate and House races. MS NOW reported that North Carolina Republicans suffered major losses in 2024 after Trump-backed gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson lost to Democrat Josh Stein by almost 15 percentage points. The defeat also cost Republicans their lieutenant governorship and legislative supermajority.

In Georgia, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff has built a substantial polling advantage over Republican Rep. Mike Collins, while Trump's earlier disputes with Gov.

Brian Kemp contributed to tensions within the state party. Arizona offers another example of Republican struggles, with Democrats winning Senate contests there for a decade and Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs leading Trump-endorsed Rep.

Andy Biggs in polling described by MS NOW.

Trump acknowledged Cooper's strength during a rally in Greenville, North Carolina, earlier in the week.

"He's going to become your senator and it's crazy," Trump said.

The president's intervention in Republican primaries has also prompted criticism from some former allies who believe his preferred candidates have weakened the party's broader electoral position. Tillis said in a recent interview with Politico that the political coalition assembled by Trump may not remain with Republicans over time.

"What [Trump's] done is created a coalition that, in my opinion, will not stay with Republicans once we go back to traditional Republican platform priorities," Tillis said.

He questioned whether the populist elements that helped Trump expand his presidential base would continue to benefit the party beyond his leadership.

"A lot of the elements of the populism that Trump created to expand a base that made him successful running for president, I don't think that stays with the party long-term," Tillis said.

With Election Day approaching on November 3, Republicans face competitive Senate contests in Texas and North Carolina and a closely watched House race in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District, where disagreements over Trump's endorsements have become a prominent feature of the campaigns.