The new ‘TDS variant’ is here: Republicans are walking away from Trump — and into the Left’s trap

By Kerri Toloczko

Published October 12, 2026 8:00am ET

American voters are increasingly faced with a new political disorder: Trump Disenchantment Syndrome.

This new “TDS” is a national malaise reaching beyond Washington into congressional and gubernatorial races, leaving some Republicans and independents drifting away from Republican candidates struggling to counter a negativity they can’t control.