'Massive campaign reserves': Trump 'began discussing midterm strategy shortly after his November' win

27 February

Democratic strategists are hoping that the United States' 2026 midterms will echo the midterms of 2018, when, during President Donald Trump's first term, Democrats flipped the U.S. House of Representatives and enjoyed a net gain of 41 seats. Republicans held the U.S. Senate that year, but the House saw a major blue wave. And in January 2017, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California) once again became House speaker.

It remains to be seen, however, what the 2026 midterms will bring.

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville, noting Trump's weak approval ratings in some polls, is predicting that 2026 will be terrible for Republicans. But according to CNN, Trump is promising GOP lawmakers that "he intends to open up his massive stockpile of campaign reserves" to "defend the party's slim majorities in both chambers next year."

CNN reporters Steve Contorno and Sarah Ferris, in an article published on February 27, explain, "President Donald Trump is already exerting his influence over the 2026 midterm elections, endorsing two close allies in open gubernatorial contests in the past week and privately signaling plans to shape the Republican ticket in more key races next year, according to people familiar with the discussions…. But even as he pledges financial support, Trump has not ruled out intervening in primaries to bolster challengers against Republican officeholders he perceives as insufficiently loyal."

Trump, according to Contorno and Ferris, is "intent on avoiding the political setbacks that marred his first administration."

"Then," the CNN reporters note, "Democrats reclaimed the House two years into his presidency, launching investigations into his administration and personal finances and ultimately voting twice to impeach him. Determined this time to have a compliant Congress for all four years, Trump began discussing his midterm strategy shortly after his November victory, people close to him said."

The Contorno and Ferris point out that "whatever Trump contributes toward helping fellow Republicans" in 2026 "would likely outpace his efforts during past midterm election cycles, when he still had his own political ambitions to fund."

According to Contorno and Ferris, "Top advisers have briefed Trump on next year's battleground maps, outlining for him where there are opportunities to add allied Republican governors and seats in Congress as well as which turf will need defending. Trump’s former co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita is expected to play a heavy role coordinating midterm strategy from outside the White House."

Read CNN's full article at this link.

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