Trump Missing From Most GOP Midterm Ads Amid Record Low Approval Ratings

Analysis reveals Trump appeared in just 12 of 500+ GOP TV ads as candidates avoid his controversial brand.

September 19, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — A new analysis shows that Donald Trump was featured in only 12 out of more than 500 Republican television advertisements aired ahead of the November midterms, despite his continued presence in political discourse.

The data, sourced from AdImpact and reported by CNN, highlights a strategic shift among GOP candidates who are prioritizing attacks on Democratic opponents over aligning with the former president. The 12 ads featuring Trump cost $1 million collectively, while the total investment in all GOP ads reached $160 million during the same period.

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Conversely, Democratic ads referenced Trump more frequently, with 95 spots airing in the first two weeks of September, costing $23 million. These ads often linked conservative candidates to Trump’s policies, aiming to undermine their viability. Despite his efforts to remain central to the Republican narrative, Trump’s deep unpopularity has led many candidates to distance themselves from him, with some even refusing his support outright.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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