WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump is blaming senior aides and political operatives for a faltering midterm strategy, questioning campaign spending, faulting redistricting and second-guessing candidate choices as Republicans fight to retain control of Congress, said three people familiar with internal discussions.

Trump is not on the November 3 ballot but repeatedly tells supporters ​to pretend that he is, hoping to mobilize voters who might otherwise skip the election. He has embarked on a frenetic campaign schedule while largely avoiding acknowledging his own role in shaping ‌the strategy and how his unpopularity is weighing on Republican candidates in competitive races.

Much of the friction has centered on James Blair, the longtime aide who runs Trump’s super PAC MAGA Inc., and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who until now had largely escaped criticism. Trump has faulted Blair’s handling of campaign funds, while some White House officials and allies have questioned Wiles’ oversight of the political operation.

As Trump questions why campaign spending has failed to improve Republican polling numbers, his advisers are also blaming one another. Wiles has pointed to Blair, ​while Blair has faulted the White House legislative affairs team, one of the people said.

“What’s really happening is a circular firing squad,” the person said.

Opinion polls suggest Democrats will win the House of Representatives, while the ​Senate remains too close to call. Losing the House would hamper Trump’s legislative agenda in the final two years of his term and give Democrats subpoena power to investigate ⁠his administration.

Trump defended Wiles on Friday, calling her “smart” and “tough” and saying she would remain in her job. “Susie is here, and she’s going to be here for a long time,” he said.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle rejected the sources’ characterization, ​saying they were “armchair experts peddling their baseless speculation.” Wiles did not respond to a request for comment.