Al Jazeera analysis indicates that U.S. President Donald Trump's shift in stance on core campaign promises such as the Epstein case, the Iran war, and "draining the swamp" during the latter half of his term is having a tangible impact on the Republican Party's midterm election prospects. Geopolitical consultant Rina Shah stated that in competitive districts, some Republican candidates are quietly distancing themselves from these Trump positions, instead focusing on gasoline prices and local issues, as the ongoing disclosures in the Iran war and Epstein case have appeared in attack ads and polls.