As Republicans begin to fall in line behind former President Donald Trump as their party’s likely nominee, there are deep-seated reservations about his polarizing candidacy — particularly within the Senate GOP.

Many still have fresh memories of the 2021 Capitol attack and had hoped he wouldn’t return to the national scene. Others blame him for their 2022 failure to take back the majority in the midterms and had stayed quiet as the 2024 presidential primary unfolded. 

Yet now Trump is on a glide path to the nomination and remains the most dominant force in GOP politics – something they’re trying to reconcile as they fear that his penchant for controversy and four criminal indictments will sink their chances at keeping the House and taking back the Senate.  

“For him to win the general election, he’s got to start running a general election campaign, which will mean his message is going to have to appeal to those independent voters and moderate Republicans,” said Senate GOP Whip John Thune, the No. 2 Republican who has yet to endorse Trump but said he would back the eventual nominee.

Further, exit polls in New Hampshire underscore other concerns about Trump’s chances in a general election. While Trump dominated with GOP voters in New Hampshire, winning about three-quarters of Republican voters, he struggled with independents and more moderate Granite Staters.

Republicans now fear that Trump would put off those types of independent voters who will be essential to winning battleground House and Senate seats — and that could cost them control of Congress.  “Yes,” one swing-district House Republican said when asked if he believes Trump will cost their party the House. 

Read more about what the Senate GOP is saying about Trump.