[Trump Claims Republicans Will Exceed Expectations in Midterms, But Panic Emerges Within the Party] According to a report by Jinse Finance on September 26, citing *The Wall Street Journal*, with about five weeks remaining until the U.S. midterm elections, President Trump is privately predicting that Republicans will perform "better than expected" in the November elections. During a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in New York, Trump spoke optimistically about the economic outlook. However, the mood within the party starkly contrasts with his optimistic assessment. The latest *Wall Street Journal* poll shows Trump's approval rating has dropped to 37%, the lowest level for a president heading into midterm elections since the newspaper began tracking this data in 1990. The survey covered 1,500 registered voters with a margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points. Among voters who supported Trump in 2024, 11% expressed regret; similarly, 11% of Republican voters who do not identify with the "MAGA" label plan to vote for Democrats in the congressional elections. These non-MAGA Republicans account for about one-third of Republican voters. Inflation and the Iran war have become key issues for Republican candidates seeking to distance themselves from the White House. Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers released a campaign video set in a supermarket, advocating for lower prices and calling for a swift end to the Iran war. Republican candidates in states like Iowa, Ohio, and Wisconsin have also taken positions on the Iran issue that diverge from the administration. Democrats need to gain only a few seats to retake the House of Representatives. In the Senate, Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority, meaning Democrats need a net gain of four seats. Texas, which was a stronghold for Trump in the 2024 election, has seen external Republican organizations invest over $1 billion in its Senate primaries, with the possibility of increasing that to $2 billion before the election. The White House is exploring options to alleviate pressure from rising fuel prices, including limiting diesel exports, but this has faced backlash from the energy industry. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm has downplayed the likelihood of a comprehensive export ban. Meanwhile, Trump continues to closely monitor approximately 35 of the most competitive races.