Trump and his allies hit the ground running. But one problem stands in their way.
That’s why Donald Trump was publicly warned about the lurking threat to his Presidency from the U.S. House Speaker.
Gingrich Warns Republicans: 2026 Midterms Are Crucial for Retaining Power
Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich expressed deep concerns about the future of the Republican Party if they fail to maintain control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections. Appearing on Kudlow with Fox Business host Larry Kudlow, Gingrich outlined the stakes of the upcoming elections, predicting serious consequences for the GOP should they lose the House to the Democrats.
According to Gingrich, the loss of the House would have far-reaching consequences that could cripple the Republican agenda during President Donald Trump’s final years in office. Gingrich emphasized that a robust economic strategy was key to securing a victory in 2026, pointing out that failure to act decisively could open the door to a Democrat-led House under the leadership of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.
“There’s a lot at stake here,” Gingrich said. “Almost guarantee losing the Republican House next year and ruining the last two years of President Trump’s term with Hakeem Jeffries playing the Nancy Pelosi role, investigations, blocking programs, potential impeachments.” He further criticized the lack of planning among House and Senate Republicans, stating, “I mean, there’s a lot at stake here, and it frankly mystifies me as to how House and Senate Republicans can’t understand you’ve got to plan back from victory.”
Gingrich stressed that for the Republicans to succeed in the 2026 elections, they would need to develop a strong economic agenda that prioritizes tax cuts, deregulation, and pro-energy affordability measures. These policies would need to be enacted by mid-year to have a meaningful impact on the electorate.
“The victory here is winning in November of 2026,” he said. “That requires a very strong economy. That requires a very strong tax cut deregulation, a pro-energy affordability bill, certainly no later than May or June.” Reflecting on past political cycles, Gingrich cited examples from history where Republicans suffered electoral losses due to delays in passing critical economic reforms.
He pointed to former President Ronald Reagan, who saw the GOP lose 26 seats in the 1982 midterms due to delays in implementing his tax cuts until 1983. Similarly, he referenced President Trump’s 2018 midterm election loss of 42 seats, attributing it to the fact that the GOP tax bill didn’t pass until October of that year. “When I hear senators saying cavalierly, ‘Oh, we’ll pass the easy bill early, and we’ll get around to the other bill by October,’ they’re talking about killing the chances of keeping the House Republican,” Gingrich said.
To secure a Republican victory, Gingrich recommended a more aggressive approach, with President Trump playing a central role in rallying support across key districts. He outlined a strategy where Trump could target districts with vulnerable Democratic incumbents, particularly those in states that Trump won in the 2024 presidential election.
“They need to get the bill clear, make sure that we know what’s in it, and then for about 10 weeks, we need President Trump back on the road,” Gingrich said. “There are 13 districts that have Democrats that he carried. There are another 21 districts that have Democrats where he came within 5%. If he goes in those 34 districts and says, ‘A no vote is a vote for a tax increase on your family,’ I think you’ll see at least half those Democrats decide to vote with the Republicans.”
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are also preparing for a strong showing in the 2026 midterms, led by South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. Scott is focused on expanding the GOP majority in the Senate, setting an ambitious goal of increasing their seats from 53 to 55. Historically, the party out of power in the White House tends to gain seats during midterm elections, and the GOP is strategizing on how to maximize this opportunity.
Sen. Scott is prioritizing the defense of Republican-held seats in states like Maine, North Carolina, and Ohio. At the same time, he aims to flip Democratic seats in Michigan and Georgia — both of which were won by Trump in 2024. Should the GOP succeed in capturing these seats, it would mark the largest Republican Senate majority since the second term of President George W. Bush. Additionally, Scott and other GOP leaders are targeting Democratic senators in Virginia, New Mexico, and Minnesota, aiming to further solidify their position in the upper chamber.
With both the House and Senate in play, Gingrich and other Republicans are urging their party to act quickly and decisively. Without a clear strategy and solid economic policies, the 2026 midterms could prove to be a decisive moment for the GOP, with far-reaching implications for President Trump’s legacy.
Inflation Remains Top Issue For Americans Ahead Of 2026 Midterms
CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten warned on Thursday that President Donald Trump must prioritize addressing inflation to maintain his popularity with American voters. According to a December Ipsos Knowledge panel, 34% of Americans believe Trump should focus on inflation in his first 100 days. Other priorities, such as immigration and the general economy, were cited by 31% and 21%, respectively.
Enten emphasized that Trump cannot allow inflation to undermine his presidency, as it did to former President Joe Biden. “Let me be clear, inflation crushed the Joe Biden presidency. It ate it alive. If Donald Trump is not careful, inflation will crush his presidency and eat it alive because that is where Americans want him to be focused,” Enten warned. “They want Trump focused on fixing the inflation problem and bringing prices down.”
Under Biden, inflation soared, with prices rising more than 20% during his presidency. The inflation rate peaked at 9% in 2022, up from 1.4% when he took office. While the Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell below 3% in July, inflation remains a significant issue. Economists largely blamed Biden’s administration’s spending, including the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan and the $750 billion Inflation Reduction Act, for the inflation surge.
Polling data leading into the 2024 election showed that Trump was ahead of both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on economic issues, particularly inflation. This allowed Trump to connect with key voter groups, such as blue-collar workers and Latino men. A CBS News/YouGov poll revealed that 66% of voters believe Trump should focus more on inflation.
Enten also pointed out that 27% of Americans currently rate the economy as “excellent or good,” according to Marquette Law exit polls. He cautioned that if this perception does not improve, Trump’s approval ratings could suffer. “So no, Donald Trump is not a magician. No president is a magician when it comes to the economy, but I will be very clear here, if this number does not go up, Donald Trump’s approval ratings will go down,” Enten said.
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