President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States should not hold midterm elections in 2026, citing what he described as his extensive achievements in office. Speaking in a 30-minute interview with Reuters, he said his record was so strong that “when you think of it, we shouldn’t even have an election”, comments that quickly drew attention in Washington.
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Trump also voiced frustration at the historical pattern of a president’s party losing seats in Congress during midterm elections, warning that Republicans could risk control of the House of Representatives or the Senate. He described this trend as a “deep psychological thing”, despite long-standing evidence that governing parties often face losses midway through a presidential term.
The White House later sought to downplay the remarks, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt telling reporters that the president had been joking and speaking facetiously. Nonetheless, polling data cited by organisations such as Brookings and The New York Times indicate that Democrats currently hold a modest advantage heading into the 2026 midterms, reinforcing concerns among Republicans.
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Despite this, Trump has privately told Republican lawmakers that he expects an “epic” midterm victory. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said Democrats are preparing for potential interference in the electoral process, claims the White House dismissed as fear-mongering. In the same Reuters interview, Trump also rejected criticism of his renewed push to acquire Greenland, a territory of Denmark, brushing aside concerns raised by both the public and political allies.
