Washington Examiner executive editor Bob Cusack said in an interview on CNN that President Donald Trump's focus on his own projects and issues, such as the Iran war and NFL kickoff rules, is not resonating with voters who are concerned about affordability. According to Cusack, most Americans do not think the economy is in a good place, and the ongoing war in Iran is likely to remain a top concern for voters. The timing of the Republican Party's 2026 midterm convention, which will focus on Trump and the GOP's agenda, coincides with the start of the NFL season and may lack momentum as a result. Cusack argued that centering the convention around Trump, who has a low approval rating, is not a good strategy for the Republican Party.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-03,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
President Donald Trump's message for the upcoming midterm elections may not resonate with voters, according to Bob Cusack, executive editor of the Washington Examiner. Cusack has spoken with some Trump supporters who feel that the president is "involved in too much", including projects like building a new White House ballroom, renovating golf courses in DC, and discussing NFL kickoff rules. Meanwhile, most Americans do not think the economy is in good shape, and concerns about the war in Iran are likely to dominate voters' minds as they head to the polls. The ongoing conflict with Iran could even impact Republican Party efforts in the midterm elections, with Cusack suggesting that a prolonged war may be "a real problem for the GOP".
Written for “Trump's Negative Impact” on 2026-09-03,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Washington Examiner executive editor Bob Cusack said President Donald Trump’s message for the midterm elections is not going to resonate with voters, who are pushing for affordability.
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who → say → affordability
“I’ve talked to some Trump supporters, and they think the president’s involved in too much,” Cusack said on Wednesday on CNN’s Laura Coates Live.
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Cusack → talk → Coates
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Cusack said Trump is not focusing on what Americans are most worried about and is instead pouring time, money, and resources into his own projects, such as constructing the new White House ballroom, renovating D.C. golf courses, and musing on NFL kickoff rules.
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Americans → say → rules
“It’s too much, especially when people are struggling,” Cusack added.
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Cusack → ’ → ?
Cusack said most Americans do not believe the economy is in a good place.
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economy → say → place
As the war in Iran drags on, economic concerns are likely to remain top of mind for voters.
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concerns → drag → voters
“But what is sucking all the oxygen out of the room?
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what → suck → room
The Iran war, and there’s no end in sight,” Cusack said.
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Cusack → ’ → sight
“The war may be going on as people are voting, and that’s a real problem for the GOP.”
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that → go → GOP
The first-ever Republican Party 2026 midterm convention is being held Sept. 9 and 10 in Dallas, Texas.
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convention → hold → Dallas
The event will focus on Trump and the GOP’s agenda.
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event → focus → Trump
Trump and Vice President JD Vance will host the convention.
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Trump → host → convention
Cusack said for voters seeking greater financial accountability from the administration, centering the convention on Trump could be a poor strategy for the GOP.
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centering → say → GOP
Cusack also raised concerns that the convention’s timing is frustrating, as the event coincides with the start of the NFL season.
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event → raise → season
On Sept. 9, the Seattle Seahawks will host the New England Patriots in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl.
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Seahawks → host → Bowl
And on Sept. 10, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will compete in a rivalry matchup in Melbourne, Australia, which Netflix will stream.
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Netflix → compete → which
“This convention, it lacks juice right now,” Cusack said.
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Cusack → lack → juice
“And remember, they’re going up against the NFL.
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they → remember → NFL
The first couple of games are Wednesday and Thursday, and now Trump is going to be speaking both nights.”
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Trump → go → games
Cusack said Republicans’ previous messaging suggested their midterm strategy would focus on concerns over socialism and the growing wave of left-wing candidates.
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strategy → say → candidates
“A couple months ago, we were hearing from Republicans, ‘We’re going to make this about the socialists,’ kind of a continuation of the State of the Union,” he said.
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he → hear → Union
“You know, ‘They’re crazy, we have common sense,’ now we’re hearing it’s all about Trump.”
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it → know → Trump
Cusack argued that Trump’s low approval rating makes it a poor strategy for the Republican Party to center their midterm campaigns on him, but that Trump thinks his influence is enough to win over swing states.
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influence → argue → states
Trump revealed on Wednesday that he plans to target 35 races across the country.
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he → reveal → country
“It’s all about 35 races,” the president said.
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president → ’ → ?
“I’m going to go to every one of those 35 places, and we’re going to see if we can get everyone elected.
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everyone → go → places
You know, I think it’s work.
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it → know → ?
Then we’re going to do the tele town halls.
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we → go → halls
They’re fantastic.
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They → ’re → ?
They work amazingly.”
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They → work → ?
Cusack said Trump’s name recognition alone may not be enough to garner the support the GOP needs.
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GOP → say → support
“Right now, they are probably going to lose the House again,” Cusack said.
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Cusack → go → House
