President Donald Trump faced pressure from Republicans on Wednesday to change course following sweeping defeats in the midterm elections, which handed Democrats control of Congress, as voters also rejected candidates he had personally endorsed in key races.
As his presidency enters its final two years, Trump’s allies and strategists called for sweeping changes to the White House staff, a return to discipline, and an end to the policies they blamed for the losses, including the war with Iran and tariffs.
Veteran Republican strategist John Feehery described the results as a “massive disaster” for Trump, saying: “He needs to have a complete housecleaning. Every day from here on out, he will become weaker and weaker.”
Trump, however, showed little sign that he viewed the election results as a reason to change course. “I don’t consider it a blow to me,” he told Fox News late Tuesday.
Democrats will now have the power to block Trump’s legislation, investigate his administration’s performance, and challenge his nominees. This is expected to push Trump, who is already making extensive use of his executive powers, to rely even more heavily on measures he can take unilaterally.
He will have to decide whether to continue focusing on an agenda that some Republicans fear has become a political liability, particularly for potential successors looking to run for the White House in 2028.
Distancing Himself from the President
Trump’s Vice President JD Vance, who is seen as a potential political heir to Trump, appeared to distance himself from the president on Wednesday by blaming the war with Iran for the midterm election losses.
Strategists and party officials said such positions could become more frequent if Republicans conclude that Trump’s longstanding influence over the party’s voters is waning.
According to a senior official who spoke on condition of anonymity, top aides are bracing for staff departures and possible changes within the administration, as well as investigations that Democrats are expected to demand.
“Morale is at an all-time low,” the official said.
The official explained that internal polls had warned six weeks before the election that Republicans were heading for losses in both the House and Senate. However, Trump refused to change course on Iran despite warnings about the political consequences.
“Ultimately, he didn’t care at all. He refused to listen to anyone,” the official added.
Trump acknowledged late Tuesday that the war with Iran, which began eight months ago, had hurt Republican candidates, but defended his decision to launch the conflict.
Republican concerns extended beyond the war. A Republican political consultant said that, during focus groups examining closely contested Senate races in states such as Michigan and Iowa, concern among Republican political advisers nationwide had been mounting throughout the summer, as more Republican and independent voters voiced opposition to Trump’s focus on issues such as the White House ballroom and renovation work in Washington.
“If Trump spends the next two years talking about the same nonsense, we will suffer another crushing defeat in the next election,” the consultant added.
Amid all this, Trump gathered reporters on Wednesday for a tour of the ballroom construction site, defending the time he had devoted to the project. “For me, this is a source of comfort,” he said.
The White House adopted a defiant tone, posting a picture of Trump on social media accompanied by the message: “A reminder to everyone: Trump is still your president.”
