Richard Johnson, a senior lecturer in U.S. politics at Queen Mary University of London, said Donald Trump’s political influence may hurt Republicans as voters weigh economic concerns and the Iran war before Tuesday’s midterms.
In an interview published Nov. 2 by France 24, Johnson questioned whether Trump’s campaigning strengths would still help mobilize Republican voters. He also raised the possibility that the president’s influence could become a liability for his party.
Johnson called Trump “damaged goods at this point in his presidency.” He tied household cost concerns, trade disputes and dissatisfaction with the Iran war to strains among voters who supported Trump’s return to office.
He named Latino voters, agricultural communities and some MAGA supporters as groups that could change their political support or stay away from elections. Johnson presented those outcomes as possibilities, not settled voter decisions.
The congressional midterms are scheduled for Nov. 3.
