Republican incumbents are facing mounting challenges ahead of the midterm elections as a push to cancel the August recess stirs internal dissent and the pro-Trump media world splinters.
Senator Thom Tillis warned that canceling the recess would be tone-deaf, arguing that GOP senators need to be on the campaign trail with tight races looming. The demand, associated with President Trump, has put vulnerable Republicans in a difficult position.
Separately, right-wing influencers who once stood united behind Trump are now embroiled in feuds and losing viewers, creating another problem for Republicans seeking to hold their majorities.
Both developments underscore the pressures facing the party as the midterms approach, with incumbents trying to balance loyalty to the president against the need to appeal to voters in competitive races.