Rob Arlett, a former chair of Donald Trump's presidential campaign, has publicly criticised the US president's leadership style, telling Al Jazeera that Trump 'cares about Trump the most.' Arlett acknowledged that while Trump works to protect the Republican Party, his personal brand and self-interest remain the dominant forces shaping his decisions. The remarks are significant ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections, with Arlett suggesting Trump's ability to energise voters is still central to GOP strategy even as questions mount about his priorities.