Republicans Cut Trump Ad Mentions to $8 Million as Democrats Spend $145 Million
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Oct 17
Republicans Cut Trump Ad Mentions to $8 Million as Democrats Spend $145 Million
2 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 17
Summary
$8 million in GOP general-election ad spending has mentioned Donald Trump, versus $145 million by Democratic candidates and outside groups, according to a POLITICO analysis of AdImpact data.
Republican candidates are largely keeping Trump out of ads and sometimes off the trail even as he campaigns aggressively for them, reflecting concern that his historically low approval ratings could hurt swing-state and district races.
Strategists say Trump can still help turn out MAGA voters, but candidates see little upside in centering him in their own messaging.
The pullback marks a sharp shift from 2024, when Republican candidates spent $62 million on ads mentioning Trump and were more willing to highlight his endorsement.