Some Republicans distance themselves from Trump

Republicans put space between themselves and Trump

With less than six weeks until Election Day, a growing number of Republicans are breaking with Trump on key issues. The moves put public distance between those Republicans and Trump during the closing phase of the campaign. They do not amount to a party-wide break: some Republicans are taking separate positions on particular issues.

The disagreements are emerging as voters near their final decisions. Republicans making these breaks are separating their views on those issues from Trump’s position rather than presenting a fully unified party message. The pattern shows that alignment with Trump is not the same across the party, even as Republicans focus on the congressional contest.

A slim majority is at stake

The Republican Party is also working to retain its slim majority in Congress. That effort is unfolding at the same time as the public breaks with Trump, connecting differences within the party to the broader contest for congressional control.

A slim majority gives the party limited room in its effort to keep control. That leaves two developments running in parallel during the final stretch: Republicans are defending their position in Congress while some people in the party draw distinctions from Trump on key issues. Those disagreements affect the message Republicans carry into the final weeks, but they do not change the current congressional majority on their own.