How Trump's meddling in elections could spectacularly backfire voters reveal in shock poll as he ousts 'traitor' lawmakers

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 00:13, 20 May 2026 | Updated: 00:29, 20 May 2026 President Donald Trump has been playing kingmaker in Republican primaries across the country to push his preferred candidates and punish those who aren't wholly loyal. But there's budding questions about whether Trump's star power will be a political asset for Republicans in general elections this fall, as the party attempts to hold on to wafer-thin margins in the US House and Senate.  The latest polling conducted exclusively by JL Partners for the Daily Mail reveals that Trump's endorsement could be the kiss of death with independent voters. Forty-three percent of likely 2026 voters say a Trump endorsement would make them likely to back a candidate, compared to just 35 percent who say it would make them more likely. Among 2026 independent voters, only 26 percent say they're more likely to support a Trump-backed candidate, with 48 percent saying they are less likely to vote for a candidate backed by the President.  Among Republicans however, Trump's backing does have a galvanizing effect with just over two-thirds of respondents saying they are more likely to support a candidate with his endorsement at 67 percent, and only 8 percent being less likely. That affect is appearing to play out in the northern Kentucky congressional primary where Congressman Thomas Massie looks in danger of losing his seat after seven terms.  Trump has waded into state elections as well as federal ones. US President Donald Trump speaks to the press about the new East Wing next to the construction site at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 19 May 2026 Your browser does not support iframes. With her then-husband Troy Duhon standing between them, Tracy Duhon (right), Paxton's reported mistress, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (left) pose for a photo at the Kentucky Derby in May 2024 Your browser does not support iframes.  Trump's own voters take a markedly different view: 42 percent say he has pitched in at the right level, and 21 per cent want him more active. Just 14 percent each felt he should not be involved at all, or that he has gone too far. Among likely 2026 voters, 35 percent say a Trump endorsement would make them more likely to back a candidate, against 43 percent who say it would put them off. The same group is evenly split - 28 percent apiece - between backing a new Republican with Trump's endorsement and sticking with an incumbent who lacks it. Among Republicans, however, the preference is unambiguous: 61 percent favor a Trump-endorsed newcomer over an incumbent without his blessing, compared with just 25 percent who would side with the incumbent.  Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The JL Partners survey found 37 percent believe he should stay out of state-level races entirely, 19 percent think he has been too involved and should pull back, 22 per cent say his level of engagement has been about right, and 11 per cent want to see more of him. Trump has been triggered by Republicans who've defied him over his second term. He dubbed the former Georgia Republican Congresswoman 'Marjorie Traitor Greene,' after she accused him of abandoning his 'America First' policies and ignoring survivors Epstein's abuse. That could prove a decisive advantage for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as he bids to unseat Senator John Cornyn in next Tuesday's Republican runoff for Texas's US Senate seat. But in a general election, Paxton could face problems against Democrat James Talarico, who has raised over $40 million and could peel some moderate Republicans off to make Texas competitive.  Trump today announced he is backing Paxton, which prompted Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski to categorize that decision as one that 'puts that seat in jeopardy' this fall. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.