Trump : calls on Republicans to be together in the run-up to the midterm elections
Trump: Using an address at the House GOP member retreat to support Speaker Mike Johnson and rally lawmakers behind his agenda, US President Donald Trump urged House Republicans to remain united and defy political history as he predicted a landslide victory for the party in the 2026 midterm elections.
Republicans were poised for what Trump described as an extraordinary result, he told the crowd. “With the epic midterm victory that we’re going to pull off, we’re going to make history and break records,” he said.
The party in power has historically had a hard time winning the midterm elections. Trump said his administration had altered the equation, even though he accepted that tendency. He said, “It just doesn’t seem to happen for people who win the presidency, even if it’s a successful presidency, they don’t win.”
Despite its slim margin, he characterized the current House majority as very coherent. Trump told legislators that they had achieved “12 months of unprecedented success in 2025,” adding, “This was not a big majority, but it’s a unified majority.”
During the more than hour-long address, Trump praised House leadership and gave Speaker Mike Johnson his full support. Trump spoke to Johnson as “tough as anybody in the room” and said, “He has my complete and total endorsement.”
Trump, however, recognized the constraints presented by the narrow Republican margin. He warned that internal conflicts may sabotage legislative attempts, saying, “You can’t be tough when you have a majority of three.”
Additionally, Trump honored Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who he said had passed away the day before. Trump referred to LaMalfa as “a fierce champion on California water issues” and stated, “I want to express our tremendous sorrow at the loss of a great member.”
LaMalfa “voted with me 100% of the time,” he said, and he was a politician who never required convincing. Trump said, “He was with us right from the beginning.”
Additionally, Trump said that Representative Jim Baird and his spouse were recuperating from a severe auto accident. He assured them that everything would be well.
Trump presented party cohesion and discipline as crucial to winning the election in his speech. “Just stay together,” he added, adding that Democrats “stick together like glue” while Republicans had “all of the policy.”
Despite pursuing measures he deemed detrimental, he accused Democrats of profiting from internal unity. Trump said, “They have a terrible policy.” “However, they do remain together.”
Republicans were pushed by Trump to spread his message across their districts. He said, “You have so much ammunition.” “You just need to sell it.”
The GOP’s early attempt to coordinate messaging and legislative goals ahead of the elections, which will decide control of Congress for the second half of Trump’s term, includes the House GOP retreat.
Voters have historically shifted power to the opposition party in US midterm elections, which often function as a referendum on the current president. Right now, Republicans control the House by one of the narrowest majorities in contemporary history.