GOP Strategist Has 'Apprentice' Theory For Why Trump's Not Spending Midterm War Chest

Republican strategist Doug Heye told CNN that the GOP’s outlook for the 2026 midterm elections is “bleak,” citing two main problems: gaps in support from President Donald Trump’s political operation and a messaging disconnect. Heye said Trump’s campaign, including MAGA Inc., has a reported $400 million war chest but has not yet been spending enough to help Republican candidates. He suggested Trump is withholding resources, framing it as an “Apprentice” dynamic where candidates must “earn” support. The second issue, Heye said, is what Trump is saying—often centered on being “hotter or richer”—while many voters “don’t feel hot or rich right now.”