Trump forces midterm Republicans into an awkward situation

President Trump's unusual divisiveness inside his own party could pose extra political challenges to Republicans on the 2018 ballot.

Republican incumbents and candidates keep finding themselves in the awkward position of choosing sides — either for him or against him, with either choice risking electoral catastrophe in the midterm.

Demonstrated most recently after events in Charlottesville, Va., standing with Trump through whatever he says, does or tweets should pay dividends for Republicans with a GOP base solidly behind the president.

Crossing Trump to maintain viability in the general election, as exemplified by Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and the president, more sensitive to disloyalty than past party leaders, is likely to aggressively retaliate, potentially turning the base against the offender.

"It certainly puts an additional challenge on a candidate as they navigate issues down the stretch of a campaign," said Republican strategist Josh Holmes, a confidant of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.