As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Donald Trump has once again suggested the country might be better off without holding them at all. The remarks, made during recent interviews and public appearances, come as Republicans face slipping approval ratings and growing voter unease.
Donald Trump talks about elections
Facing the prospect of Republicans losing control of Congress in the 2026 midterms, Donald Trump questioned the very foundation of the electoral cycle. In an interview with Reuters published on January 14, the president pointed to a historical pattern where the sitting president’s party often loses ground in midterm elections.
“It’s some deep psychological thing, but when you win the presidency, you don’t win the midterms,” Trump stated. He then took the sentiment a step further, boasting about his administration’s performance by stating, “When you think of it, we shouldn’t even have an election.”
These comments are not isolated. They follow a pattern of Trump casting doubt on electoral integrity when faced with potential political losses. In a prior interview with The New York Times, he repeatedly hedged on committing to respect the midterm results, claiming that he “always [respects] the results of elections”, but the elections in the country are “rigged” and “dishonest.”
Earlier this month, Donald Trump voiced similar election frustrations while speaking to Republicans at a congressional retreat at the Kennedy Center. Complaining about Democrats, he said he hated having to “even run against these people.” Anticipating criticism, he added, “Now, I won’t say ‘cancel the election, they should cancel the election,’ because the fake news will say he wants the elections canceled… ‘He’s a dictator.’ They always call me a dictator.” (via Rolling Stone)
After Trump’s comments sparked backlash, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the president was “speaking facetiously” and was “simply joking.” She elaborated that Trump was saying, “We’re doing such a great job… Maybe we should just keep rolling.”
When pressed by reporter Andrew Feinberg on whether Donald Trump finds canceling elections funny, Leavitt retorted, “Were you in the room? I was in the room […] and only someone like you would take that so seriously.” (via People)
