Trump's Self-Focused, Insult-Laden Midterm Campaign Fails to Address Voters' Real Concerns as the GOP Faces Losses in Red Territory
Source: Susan B. Glasser. "The Dumocrats Are Coming for Trump, and All He Can Do Is Call Them Names | The New Yorker." October 8, 2026. www.newyorker.com
The Gist
The author argues that Republicans are in trouble this election year because of high prices and an unpopular war, but Trump's rallies mostly boast about himself, deny the problems, and mock Democrats with strange insults. That, she suggests, is a weak and out-of-touch strategy that probably won't stop big losses, even in states he easily won before.
Conclusion
Trump's midterm campaign messaging, consisting of self-praise, denial of economic and war-related problems, and name-calling of Democrats, is an inadequate and out-of-touch response to the Republican Party's deteriorating political position, and it is unlikely to prevent major GOP losses in 2026.
Premises
- Republicans are in political trouble: Trump is historically unpopular, two-thirds of the country thinks the U.S. is on the wrong track, and Democrats are competitive in states Trump won by wide margins in 2024, such as Texas and Ohio.
- The dominant issues of the campaign are the self-inflicted war with Iran and the resulting global price spikes and affordability concerns.
- Trump's rally speeches largely ignore or deny these issues. He claims there is almost no inflation, dismisses affordability as a Democratic plot, promises the war will end 'very soon' while admitting it may last until after the midterms, and says little else about it.
- Instead, Trump centers his message on himself (asserting he is the greatest President ever, and asking voters to 'pretend I'm on the ballot') and on insulting or demonizing Democratic opponents with bizarre, personal, and exaggerated attacks (such as the claims about Talarico's veganism and vomiting, or 'Dumocrat Communists' who will turn children into Communists).
- Compared to his 2018 closing message and earlier campaigns, Trump appears less joyful and more insecure, which suggests he recognizes his party's weak position.
Assumptions
- Voters care primarily about concrete issues such as prices and the war, and will punish a candidate or party that ignores or denies them.
- Trump's rally content is representative of the Republican midterm message and of how he is actually campaigning.
- Personal insults and culture-war attacks are less persuasive to swing and moderate voters than addressing their material concerns.
- Polls showing Democratic competitiveness in red states accurately reflect likely election outcomes.
- Trump's demeanor at rallies reflects his real assessment of the GOP's prospects.
- Trump's personal presence on the campaign trail cannot substitute for his not being on the ballot.