Trump Pledges Over $400 Million in Republican Midterm Push

President Donald Trump has announced plans to spend more than $400 million backing Republican candidates in the November 3 midterm elections, a moment when the party is battling to keep control of Congress.

In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said most of the money has already been spent on voter outreach. According to the president, more than $300 million has gone to advertising, direct and indirect voter contact, rallies, rally venues, telephone town halls, get-out-the-vote programs, election integrity efforts and other activities.

Trump called it a "great honor" to do this on behalf of the Republican Party and said the November vote is "the most important midterm election in the history of our country." He did not, however, provide a detailed breakdown of the spending, including how much would go to individual races.

The spending pledge comes as Republicans face a series of headwinds ahead of the election, including voter backlash over the economy and the prolonged U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

In the final stretch, Trump's approval rating has fallen to a record low. A survey released this week by Reuters and the research firm Ipsos found that only 31 percent of Americans approve of how Trump has handled his job so far. In response, some Republicans have sought to distance themselves from the president, while others have called for more support, particularly in close races against Democrats.

The open question is whether Trump and his allies will use the large pool of money held by MAGA Inc. The super PAC, named for his "Make America Great Again" movement, can raise unlimited sums from donors to support or oppose federal candidates. By law, however, its spending must remain independent of campaigns.

Last month, the Campaign Legal Center, an election finance watchdog, accused Trump of violating those rules when he claimed control over MAGA Inc's spending. The group cited the president's public remarks, including an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office on September 4, when Trump was asked when money would start flowing to Republican candidates. He replied that he would spend "whatever it takes" to help his party, adding: "This is money from MAGA Inc. This is my money that I control."

According to the latest federal filings, MAGA Inc entered September with $415.8 million in cash on hand, making it one of the most important financial resources in the Republican campaign arsenal. But according to Reuters, Trump has questioned why the super PAC's heavy spending has yet to improve Republican polling in several key races, including Ohio.

Other pro-Trump groups are also ramping up political advertising, including two newly formed organizations tied to MAGA Inc, No Going Back PAC and Safety and Affordability PAC. According to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact, No Going Back PAC alone accounted for $68.7 million in political advertising last month.

Another Trump ally, technology entrepreneur Elon Musk, is said to have spent $366 million since last year on Republican campaigns through his America PAC and other Republican and conservative groups.

In the final weeks of the campaign, Trump himself has embarked on a 32-day run of campaign events. Upcoming stops include South Carolina and Iowa.

This year's election carries particular weight because control of Congress is at stake. Republicans currently hold a slim advantage in both legislative chambers, while Democrats are looking to capitalize on Trump's falling popularity to flip the Senate and the House. If they succeed, they could block the president's legislative agenda during his final two years in office.