This was totally uncalled for.
A former Republican congressman is making headlines after launching a blistering attack on his own political party, accusing the GOP of abandoning its principles and becoming a political movement centered almost entirely on President Donald Trump.
Alan Steelman, a longtime Texas Republican who served in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 1970s, made the controversial accusation as Republicans and Democrats prepare for the November 2026 midterm elections.
According to Newsweek, Steelman described today’s Republican Party as a “cult organized around one man,” referring to Trump’s influence over the GOP.
His remarks have brought renewed attention to the divisions between Trump’s supporters and a group of former Republican officials who believe the party has moved away from its traditional identity.
But Steelman’s criticism is not limited to words. The former congressman is also supporting a Democrat in a closely watched Texas Senate race.
Former Republican Congressman Attacks GOP Leadership
Steelman’s political history stretches back more than five decades.
He represented Texas in Congress from 1973 until 1977, entering national politics at a time when the Republican Party was developing its modern conservative identity.
Now, the former lawmaker argues that the party he once represented has undergone a troubling transformation.
Steelman believes loyalty to Trump has overshadowed the Republican Party’s longstanding political principles.
He has also raised concerns about the way some supporters describe Trump’s leadership, including religious expressions of admiration for the president.
His remarks reflect a broader disagreement within Republican politics over the party’s direction and whether its future should remain closely connected to Trump’s political movement.
However, many Republican voters see the situation differently.
Trump’s supporters have embraced his America First platform, particularly his positions on border security, immigration enforcement, economic policy, and challenging Washington’s political establishment.
Those differences help explain why Steelman’s criticism has become part of a much larger debate about the future of the GOP.
Steelman Supports Democrat In Texas Senate Race
Perhaps the most significant part of the controversy is Steelman’s decision to support a Democratic candidate.
The former Republican congressman has joined approximately 25 other former GOP officeholders in backing Democrat James Talarico in the Texas U.S. Senate election.
Talarico is running against Republican Ken Paxton in a contest attracting national attention ahead of Election Day.
The group of former Republican officials supporting Talarico illustrates the unusual political alliances emerging during the 2026 midterm campaign.
Steelman has argued that Talarico possesses leadership qualities associated with past Republican presidents, including Abraham Lincoln.
His decision to support the Democratic nominee also demonstrates the depth of his disagreement with the party’s current direction.
Still, endorsements from former elected officials do not necessarily indicate how Republican voters will cast their ballots.
Texas has maintained a strong Republican presence in statewide elections for decades, making the Senate race particularly significant for both political parties.
Trump’s Leadership Remains A Dividing Issue
Steelman’s comments come as Trump’s influence continues to shape Republican politics nationwide.
Since entering presidential politics, Trump has transformed the GOP’s approach to several major issues, including international trade, immigration, foreign policy, and relations with the federal government.
For many supporters, these changes represent a necessary departure from traditional Washington politics.
Critics, including Steelman, argue that the party has become too dependent on Trump’s leadership and personal political appeal.
The disagreement has exposed a continuing divide between the Republican Party’s older establishment and the political coalition that helped bring Trump to power.
Steelman’s recent comments also follow his previous departures from Republican presidential candidates.
He supported Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election and Kamala Harris in 2024, demonstrating that his opposition to Trump is not a recent development.
That history provides important context for his latest criticism of Republican leadership.
Texas Senate Election Raises Political Stakes
The controversy comes at a particularly important moment for Republicans.
With the November 3 midterm elections approaching, both parties are competing for control of Congress.
The Texas Senate race between Paxton and Talarico has emerged as one of the contests drawing considerable national interest.
Republicans are hoping to maintain their strength in a state that has consistently supported GOP candidates in statewide elections.
Democrats, meanwhile, are seeking an opportunity to make gains in traditionally Republican territory.
The involvement of former Republican officials supporting Talarico adds another dimension to the contest.
For voters, the central issues extend beyond political endorsements and disagreements among party leaders.
Questions involving the economy, immigration, government spending, public safety, and political accountability remain important parts of the national election debate.
Whether Steelman’s criticism will influence the outcome in Texas remains uncertain.
What Steelman’s Accusation Means For Republicans
Steelman’s description of the Republican Party has renewed questions about the relationship between Trump and the GOP’s traditional political identity.
His comments illustrate the frustration felt by some longtime Republican officials who disagree with the president’s approach to leadership.
At the same time, Trump’s continued influence demonstrates how significantly the party’s political base has changed over the past decade.
The dispute is also a reminder that political parties can experience major disagreements over leadership, policy, and electoral strategy.
As voters prepare to head to the polls, Republicans face questions not only about the upcoming midterm elections but also about the party’s longer-term direction.
For now, Steelman’s accusation underscores a continuing divide within Republican politics — one that could remain important well beyond the 2026 elections.