'Embryonic spines': Trump faces growing Republican pushback

Published June 5, 2026 Updated June 5, 2026 11:46am

US President Donald Trump is used to getting his own way with Republican lawmakers— but there are signs of dissent as his party nervously eyes the looming midterm elections.

From a vote against the Iran war to dissent over his $1.8 billion “anti-weaponisation fund” and costly White House ballroom, the nearly 80-year-old president has faced growing pushback.

It comes as Trump faces record-low approval ratings 500 days into his second term, deepening Republican fears that they could lose control of Congress in November’s midterms.

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