Trump Mostly Missing From Republican TV Ads as Midterms Heat Up

President Donald Trump may dominate the political conversation, but a new CNN analysis finds that his name and image are largely absent from Republican television advertising ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

From September 1–15, Republican advertisers aired more than 500 TV ads worth over $160 million, yet only 12 ads mentioned Trump, accounting for roughly $1 million in spending.

The contrast is notable because Trump has urged Republicans to make the election about his record and has repeatedly encouraged supporters to treat him as if he were on the ballot.

Meanwhile, Democratic advertisers have been much more willing to put Trump at the center of their messaging, using his policies and record to frame competitive races.

Republican campaigns appear to be emphasizing issues such as tax cuts, the economy and local concerns, while some candidates are trying to highlight their cooperation with Trump without making him the central figure of their advertisements.

The result is an unusual political landscape: Trump remains highly visible on the campaign trail, but much less visible in many Republican TV ads.