President Donald Trump almost certainly no longer cares if his party gets thrashed in the upcoming midterms, and according to Axios, there are four big reasons why he is ready to “lock in” on his “final chapter.”
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Much to the dismay of Republicans in Washington, Trump has seemed thoroughly undisciplined and uninterested in presenting a winning midterms narrative for voters ahead of the midterms, enhancing their anxieties about an expected wipeout from Democrats. Not only has he failed to negotiate a swift end to the disastrous Iran war that he started, but he has also repeatedly made statements claiming not to care about the financial hardships voters are dealing with, at a time when economic matters are by far the most pressing political issue.
On Sunday, Axios published a report breaking down why Trump “doesn’t much care if Republicans lose the House and/or the Senate in the midterms this fall,” explaining why it will have little bearing on his ability to carry out his final years in the White House, even with a new avalanche of annoyances from empowered Democrats.
“Yes, he’d prefer a big win, but he seems indifferent to the election and the possibility of endless Democratic investigations of his family, wealth and policies, his closest advisers tell us,” the report explained. “A big reason: Trump knows he’ll emerge just as strong, or even stronger, heading into his final two years, at least among Republicans. Trump will enjoy a more pro-Trump Republican Congress, win or lose; gleefully play ’28 kingmaker and further test the boundaries of presidential power beyond legislating, his preferred method anyway. He’ll use pardons to protect his people, the advisers say.”
The outlet offered four key reasons why Trump will “exploit his leverage” after a loss in the midterms: both the House and the Senate becoming more MAGA, his ability to choose a 2028 successor and his ability to keep cashing in on his power.
“Almost all of his critics will be gone [from the Senate] through defeat or retirement. The incoming class is very Trumpy. If they keep the Senate, Trump loyalists like Mike Lee (Utah), Ron Johnson (Wis.) and Rick Scott (Fla.) will chair committees,” the report explained. “Trump already serves as de facto speaker, but his few outspoken [House] GOP critics — Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) — will be gone, replaced by members who won because of him.”
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The report continued: “Trump’s firm hold on the base means he will dictate the GOP’s nominee AND shape their message. He wants a Vance-Rubio ticket and will likely get it if his mind doesn’t change. Imagine any ’28 hopeful, especially Marco Rubio or JD Vance, trying to break with the boss while working for the boss.”
Some anonymous advisers further explained Trump’s continued penchant for leveraging the presidency for financial gain.
“He likes the fact that when he tells someone, ‘Give me money,’ they give him money,” one source said.
Another source said that Trump relishes his ability to tell Republicans keen for his endorsement, “You’re as powerful as your bank account says you are.”
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