President Donald Trump made protecting Medicare a central campaign promise to secure the senior vote. Now, members of his own party are questioning whether his administration chose the worst possible moment to cast doubt on that pledge.

Sean Spicer, who served as Trump's press secretary during his first term, issued a blunt warning about the political fallout. "Regardless of whether it saves some people money, or keeps it flat, many seniors will get spooked," Spicer said.

Spicer was responding to a Wall Street Journal report earlier this week revealing that the administration plans to end a $3.6 billion subsidy program that has kept Part D prescription drug premiums low. Part D, which covers outpatient prescription drugs for roughly 53 million enrolled Medicare beneficiaries, has long been one of the most politically sensitive federal programs, with both parties historically treating benefit reductions as a third rail. Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of Trump's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, characterized the decision as "stabilizing the market" by eliminating what the administration views as an insurer "bailout."

Former Politico Senior Washington Correspondent Rachael Bade explained that the subsidy funds were compensating insurers so they could, in turn, keep prices affordable for seniors. With the program now being eliminated under Trump, the administration's own projections indicate that nearly half of Medicare Part D enrollees will face monthly premium increases ranging from $11 to $20.

"Let's start with the population in question itself: Most seniors live on fixed incomes — so an additional $20 a month may seem small, but for some it makes a real difference," Bade reported. "We all have grandparents who counted every dollar and would seek out grocers or restaurants that offered a 'senior discount.' That's not an exaggeration — that's just how seniors budget."

Spicer predicted the news would trigger alarm among one of Trump's most dependable voting blocs. Voters 65 and older have consistently posted the highest turnout rate of any age group in U.S. midterm elections, according to Census Bureau data. "Ninety-eight days out from a midterm, with the most important voting group that you need to maintain a majority, you don't do things that say, 'Hey, guess what — we're going to screw with your life.' If you really wanted to do this, kick the can down the road for 90 days," Spicer said. "… Not a good political move."

Bade's co-host Dan Turrentine also highlighted the problematic timing, pointing to key battleground states. "I'll give you three states that have an older population: Maine, Ohio, Iowa," said Turrentine, naming three of the most competitive states this fall.

Turrentine further noted that insurers are legally required not only to pass those costs on to consumers but also to formally notify seniors about the premium changes — likely around September, just weeks before voters head to the polls.

Spicer described the administration's move as "a free mailer" effectively courtesy of Trump to benefit Democrats. "You just basically created a Democratic super PAC by allowing every one of these insurance companies [to notify seniors]," Spicer told Bade and Turrentine. "… They must notify. They have to do it in writing."