Speaking on condition of anonymity, allies said Trump was often his own worst enemy. They pointed to him retweeting a video on Sunday that included a supporter shouting, “white power,” a slogan among white supremacists, and then deleting it.

“He has to go back and become an acceptable president and then take the wood to Biden,” said a Republican ally close to the White House.

“People are even actually saying, ‘Does he want this anymore?'” the ally said of fellow Republican supporters. “‘Is he looking for an exit strategy?'”…

The source said perhaps as soon as August, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may have to advise Republican Senate candidates to distance themselves from Trump if needed to win election and keep their majority.