President Donald Trump’s approval rating has hit a new record low of 32% in one poll. Some predict a blue wave in the midterm elections. But GOP activists are pushing back by praising Trump’s “pro-faith” policies and warning of a Communist takeover of the United States.
Pollsters usually predict midterm gains for the political party that isn’t in the White House. On top of that, recent polls reflect declines in approval for Trump’s Iran war and for his handling of the economy and immigration, two issues that helped him win independent voters in 2024.
But the GOP faithful still hope.
“Conservatives are clinging to the hope that the election forecasts — like the weather — will be wrong,” said Family Research Council in its article, “Republicans Race to Flip the Media’s Gloomy Midterm Script.”
Also, abortion is on the ballot in four states.
Some seek to offset the gloom by touting “President Trump’s 250 Victories for People of Faith.” The White House announced: “Since the founding of our nation, nobody has fought harder or gained more for believers” than Trump.
The White House announced: “Since the founding of our nation, nobody has fought harder or gained more for believers” than Trump.
That 250 number is up from “100 faith victories” announced one year ago, but some of the new entries are marginal. Victory No. 126 was a Father’s Day message to “American fathers for preserving the ‘nuclear family.’”
Dozens of the 250 “faith victories” are important for conservative Christians (restrictions on abortion, DEI, LGBTQ rights, transgender sports and procedures). But Trump has offended his supporters, both by what he has done (working “to lower costs and expand access to IVF”) and what he has not done (restricted the sale of abortion medications).
The 250 faith victories fall under 25 headings, including “Saved Women’s Sports,” “Restored Biological Truth,” “Defended Houses of Worship,” “Expanded School Choice,” “Upheld Parental Rights,” “Supported Israel” and “Secured Conscience Rights for Medical Workers.”
Among the 250 victories are Trump’s lawsuits against universities and controversial efforts to control the Smithsonian Institution and the Kennedy Center.
The White House announcement of faith victories has been promoted by Trump faith adviser Paula White, Southern Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress and Focus on the Family, which said the announcement would help combat the news media’s “unusual animus towards President Trump.”
Trump’s list does not mention the immigration raids and deportations that have generated criticism from U.S. Catholic bishops and the pope, or his cuts to domestic and foreign aid that critics say have worsened illness and death here and abroad.
Trump and other GOP leaders warn that the midterm elections could usher in nationwide Communist control even though there are only seven candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America running for seats in the U.S. House, with another 86 DSA-backed candidates running in state and municipal elections.
Franklin Graham
“In a number of states and cities, from coast to coast, ballots will be cast for candidates who are proudly running on a radical political platform that praises and embraces the bankrupt ideology of socialism,” said Franklin Graham in Decision, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association publication.
“Socialism is often just another brand name for communism, where corrupt rulers gain total control while promising freedoms and benefits that are mere propaganda,” Graham said. “Worst of all, communism — like socialism — is godless, even anti-God. The socialists have always been the enemy of the church. They hate God because they want to be the final authority, not God.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said, “It’s not just a contest right now between Republicans and Democrats. This is a contrast between two completely different worldviews for America.” He spoke in a live remote talk to a smaller-than-usual crowd at this year’s Pray Vote Stand Summit, a Family Research Council event.
Johnson called “radical leftist Marxist ideologues” “anti-American” and “anti-God” and warned they will take over the Democratic Party and kick out moderates.
“The most dangerous candidate for Congress right now isn’t the person waving (the Marxist) flag,” Johnson said. “It’s the Democrat running as a so-called moderate. When we know very well that the moderate Democrat wing is not going to exist anymore.”
“You cannot turn the country over to the insurgent Marxist Left, and that’s what we’re facing,” Johnson said.
Abortion is on the ballot in four states, according to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, which opposes abortion.
Ballot measures in three states (Nevada’s Question 6, Virginia’s Question 1, and Idaho’s Proposition) give voters the chance to decide if they want to establish rights to abortion.
In contrast, Missouri’s Amendment 3 would reverse a 2024 measure granting rights and begin restrictions on abortion.