Primaries show Trump GOP 'kingmaker,' but his support may be 'two-edged sword' in midterms

Donald Trump’s endorsed candidates secured a 37-0 sweep in Tuesday’s Republican primaries across six states—Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. The most high-profile result was Kentucky, where Trump-backed former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein defeated incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie, a vocal critic of Trump’s policies. Massie had opposed Trump’s tax-cut bill, resisted attacks on Iran, and pushed for the release of Epstein-related documents, positioning himself as a thorn in the former president’s side. Trump claimed victory in a post-primary press conference, calling Massie a ‘lowlife’ and boasting that his endorsed candidates won every race. House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed this, calling Trump’s endorsement ‘the most powerful in the history of politics.’ Political scientist Mark Jones from Rice University confirmed Trump’s influence, labeling him a ‘kingmaker’ in GOP primaries, though he noted Trump’s approval among general voters remains low. Jones cited a Quinnipiac University poll showing Trump with just 26% approval among independents, while his backing still drives turnout in Republican primaries. He warned Trump’s endorsement could be a ‘two-edged sword’ in November, benefiting GOP candidates with his base but dragging them down with his unpopularity among swing voters. Polls consistently show Trump’s approval rating underwater, with Democrats historically gaining seats in midterms when the president’s party holds the White House. Despite Trump’s primary dominance, Jones predicted Democrats will flip the House in November, arguing the results only reflect his stronghold over the narrow GOP primary electorate. The upcoming Texas Senate runoff between Trump’s pick, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and incumbent Sen. John Cornyn will further test his influence ahead of the midterms.