Fox News host Laura Ingraham told viewers Thursday that “many Republicans” in Congress want their own party to lose the midterm elections so they will not be expected to pass legislation backed by President Donald Trump.
Ingraham made the remarks on The Ingraham Angle, where she was joined by Larry Kudlow of Fox Business. The host complained that Republicans are not doing enough to get their message out ahead of the November elections.
She pointed to what she called one of the most incredible statistics: the Trump administration has grown personal incomes more in one year than Biden did in four. Ingraham was alluding to Census Bureau data released this week. Kudlow agreed, telling her, “That is correct.”
“Why aren’t Republicans screaming this from the rooftops?” Ingraham asked.
Kudlow answered that people in trade professions, such as pipefitters, electricians, welders and carpenters, are making close to $200,000 a year. Ingraham replied that it is now the “best time ever for men without college degrees.”
After Kudlow faulted Republicans for failing to tout Trump’s accomplishments, Ingraham suggested something more was going on among GOP officeholders.
“But how many Republicans secretly want Trump to lose?” she asked. She said she believes many Republicans on Capitol Hill would be happy not to carry the burden of passing legislation, and that they would be almost relieved, at least for a little while, to be in the minority. “I’m sorry to report that,” Ingraham said, adding that she sees no other explanation for why Republicans are not on offense over the U.S. economy.
To sum up the exchange: Ingraham argued that Republicans have a strong economic story to tell, citing the Census Bureau data on personal incomes. Kudlow agreed with her on the numbers and pointed to high earnings among tradespeople, while also blaming Republicans for not promoting the president’s record. Ingraham went a step further, saying the lack of an economic offensive can only be explained by some Republicans being content to lose the majority and the responsibility that comes with it.
The political backdrop is a difficult one for the GOP. Republicans are expected to lose their narrow House majority, with the party trailing Democrats on the generic congressional ballot by eight points. Trump’s approval rating is also under pressure, with several recent polls showing him in the 30s or low 40s.
Voters have consistently told pollsters that cost-of-living issues are hurting them. In a Fox News poll released Wednesday, more than 60 percent of Americans said the high cost of gasoline and groceries is a “major problem” for their families. According to the original reporting, inflation has spiked thanks in large part to Trump’s tariffs and war on Iran.
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