The US president has directed funding toward Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections, according to chinanews.com.cn. The move comes as the ongoing conflict with Iran weighs on the party's electoral prospects, the outlet reports.
Chinanews.com.cn, citing multiple sources, says the president's decision to open the purse strings follows a sharp drop in approval ratings. The report notes the funding allocation is a response to growing concern that the Iran war is damaging Republican chances at the ballot box.
The conflict has become a central issue in the campaign, with the president's handling of the war drawing criticism. According to the report, the administration has also been quietly scaling back its stated war aims in Iran, a shift that suggests pressure is mounting to find a way out of the conflict.
The midterm races are entering their final stretch, and Republican leaders are worried about holding control of Congress, per the report. The president's financial backing is seen as a late attempt to shore up vulnerable candidates in key districts.
The funding figure mentioned in one Asian outlet, asiae.co.kr, is reported in Korean won, equivalent to roughly 426 billion won, though the exact dollar amount and the specific races receiving support have not been detailed in the available reporting.
What to watch next: Whether the president's financial intervention can reverse the slide in Republican fortunes before voters head to the polls, and whether the administration will further revise its Iran strategy in the coming weeks.
