Republicans are quietly abandoning efforts to keep President Donald Trump at arm's length because they are too frightened to tell him he is unpopular, according to a new report.

A Saturday report by Axios found that GOP operatives have capitulated to Trump's plan to place himself front and center ahead of the midterms, despite his sinking approval ratings.

"Most Republicans are too scared to bluntly tell Trump how unpopular he is," Axios wrote. "And Trump wants an unprecedented convention next week, ads and events to focus on him."

Trump's convention in Dallas next week follows his announcement of plans for a campaign blitz during the final month before the midterms. On Friday, he said his MAGA Inc. Super PAC—which so far has not funded many GOP candidates in competitive midterm races—will begin spending. (Axios)

The strategy carries well-known historical risk: the president's party has lost House seats in nearly every midterm election over the past century, and candidates in competitive districts typically keep distance from an unpopular president to protect their own chances. Trump's grip on the Republican Party, however, has long made such distancing difficult, as his endorsement remains a decisive factor in GOP primaries.

However, Axios reported that even Trump's own voters are beginning to sour on him, with his approval rating among Republicans standing at a second-term low of 79 percent. (Axios) Despite this, Republicans are acquiescing to Trump's self-centered campaign strategy because they believe opposing it could cost them credibility and seats in the House and Senate.

"We have no choice," a top Republican campaign official told Axios. "We're stuck on the boat with him whether we like it or not."

According to Axios, Republicans consider it inevitable that Trump will attach himself to their campaigns, as he appears to believe things are going well.

"Now, a rising tide raises all boats," the same Republican campaign official added. "But the only ones who sound sure about the tide rising is the White House."

Trump plans to speak both nights at his upcoming midterms convention, which is already expected to draw low ratings. He is also the star of the first two TV ads released by his political operation, titled "Toughest Guy" and "Tax Cut Prices," according to Axios. (Ad 1, Ad 2)

The coming weeks will offer an early test of whether Trump-centric advertising and his convention appearance shift his standing among Republicans—or reinforce the reservations Axios documented among his own voters.