Top Trump Aide Takes Up Temporary Role to Boost GOP in Midterms

President Donald Trump said his deputy chief of staff James Blair will temporarily leave the White House to help bolster Republican prospects in the upcoming midterm elections.Author of the article:You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump said his deputy chief of staff James Blair will temporarily leave the White House to help bolster Republican prospects in the upcoming midterm elections.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.“James will be taking a short leave of absence to lead the charge from the outside against the Radical Left, Country Destroying Democrats,” Trump said Friday in a social media post. “He will do a fantastic job, and then, after the Election, return again to the White House, so we can finish the job and, KEEP AMERICA GREAT.”The move comes at a moment when Republicans’ standing with voters has slipped, putting them in jeopardy of losing control of Congress in the November contests. While Trump’s post did not specify the role Blair will be assuming, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles earlier Friday outlined discussions about having her deputy take over control of the president’s political organization during the midterms.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.“James is a top lieutenant of the president’s and has been invaluable to me for the better part of a decade,” Wiles said in an earlier statement. “That is the frame from which we are considering our options. Consideration of the best way to deploy a most valuable political asset for success in the midterms is a common sense and obvious thing to do.”The move signals that the White House is looking to consolidate political decision-making inside the party ahead of the elections for House, Senate and governorships. Blair, who served as Trump’s 2024 political director, has already played a key role in crafting the GOP strategy from within the White House. Democrats have seized momentum heading into the midterms, riding a wave of dissatisfaction with Trump’s leadership. Trump was elected in 2024 on a promise to lower prices and keep the US out of foreign wars. But the president’s decision to wage war on Iran drove up energy prices for Americans, exacerbating longstanding concerns over his stewardship of the economy and other issues.Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4© 2026 Financial Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can manage saved articles in your account.and save up to 100 articles!You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.