TLDR:
- President Trump is publicly attacking Indiana Republican state Senate leader Rodric Bray, calling him “either a bad guy, or a very stupid one” over redistricting opposition
- Trump threatened MAGA-backed primary challenges against any GOP senator voting against new congressional maps in Thursday’s vote
- Political observers say the redistricting fight has become a loyalty test for Trump, whose approval rating sits at 36%
- Despite intense pressure including seven-figure ad campaigns, several Indiana Republican senators refuse to support the maps that would net only two seats
President Trump is waging a public war against members of his own party as Indiana’s Republican-controlled state Senate prepares to vote Thursday on new congressional maps.
On Truth Social, Mr. Trump singled out Senate leader Rodric Bray, calling him “either a bad guy, or a very stupid one” and warning that Republicans who oppose redistricting will face MAGA-backed primary challenges.
“Rod Bray and his friends won’t be in politics for long, and I will do everything within my power to make sure that they will not hurt the Republican Party, and our country, again,” Mr. Trump wrote.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has also urged Indiana GOP senators to support the plan, while the Fair Maps Indiana Action super PAC — led by Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita — pledged seven-figure spending to back supporters and recruit primary challengers against opponents.
But several of Indiana’s 40 Republican senators won’t budge. State Sen. Mike Crider told reporters he’s “a no, and there’s no way — absolutely no way — I’ll change my mind.”
Political observers say redistricting has become a loyalty test for Mr. Trump, whose approval rating stands at 36%. Even if the maps pass, the GOP would likely gain only two seats.
“Redistricting has become a de facto measure of approval for President Trump,” said Laura Merrifield Wilson, a political science professor at the University of Indianapolis.
Read more:
• Trump world turns up the heat on Indiana GOP senators ahead of redistricting vote
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
