Does Donald J. Trump still have the juice? This question hung over a Myrtle Beach, S.C. rally Friday where the president implored hundreds of Republicans not to abandon him in the coming midterms. "You're going to lose everything," he warned, adding, "I'm going to be impeached." His rhetoric contrasted with recent cavalier comments in Washington about not caring about midterms or Americans' financial situations.

Trump appeared to boost his anointed Senate candidate Darline Graham, sister of Lindsey Graham, whose nomination race has faltered. He recited scripted praise, noted Gov. Henry McMaster's endorsement, but mostly touted his own record — claiming a successful Iran war and strong economy. Yet he fretted his base won't turn out without him on the ballot: "Pretend, PLEASE, that I'm on the ballot."

Even among die-hard supporters wearing vintage MAGA gear, discontent stirred. Scott Gantzer, a three-time Trump voter, said the economy hasn't matched Trump's first term: "My 401(k) has gone down." Gas prices remain high amid the prolonged Iran conflict. With 11 years since his escalator descent, Trump insists "The Republican Party is MAGA," but primary endorsement failures and high-level defections suggest cracks in his political armor.