Trump plans to Cancel 2026 Midterms: ‘When You Think of It, We Shouldn’t Even Have an Election’

Trump sparked fresh controversy on Wednesday, by suggesting the United States could forgo the 2026 midterm elections, arguing that his administration’s performance has been so successful that “we shouldn’t even have an election.”

The remarks, made during an Oval Office interview with Reuters, come as recent polling shows growing Democratic momentum in key House races and a competitive Senate landscape, raising the stakes for Republicans who control both chambers by narrow margins.

Trump, 79, addressed the midterm dynamics directly: “It’s some deep psychological thing, but when you win the presidency, you don’t win the midterms.” He then escalated: “When you think of it, we shouldn’t even have an election.”

The comment immediately drew comparisons to Trump’s past statements questioning electoral norms, including repeated suggestions of a third term despite the clear prohibition in the 22nd Amendment. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt moved quickly to clarify the following day, insisting Trump was speaking “facetiously.”

“He was saying, ‘We’re doing such a great job, we’re doing everything the American people thought. Maybe we should just keep rolling,'” Leavitt told reporters. “He was speaking facetiously.”

Despite the walk-back, the original statement has fueled intense criticism from Democrats and independent observers, who view it as another example of Trump’s willingness to challenge foundational democratic processes.

The remarks arrive at a moment of genuine vulnerability for Republicans. The GOP currently holds slim majorities in both chambers—218-213 in the House (after recent vacancies) and a narrow edge in the Senate. The Lincoln Project reported this week that 18 House races have shifted in Democrats’ favor, with the Senate also considered up for grabs.

Trump’s suggestion that elections could be skipped reflects his frustration with historical midterm trends: the president’s party has lost House seats in 19 of the last 21 midterm cycles since World War II. With economic headwinds, foreign policy controversies (including the Venezuela intervention), and internal divisions, many analysts see a plausible path for Democrats to flip at least one chamber.

A Democratic takeover would immediately empower investigations, subpoenas, and potentially a third impeachment—outcomes Trump has repeatedly warned against.

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Pattern of Questioning Electoral Norms

Trump’s comment fits a broader pattern of statements challenging democratic conventions:

In March 2025, he told NBC News he was “not joking” about a third term, saying: “A lot of people want me to do it.” He has added “TRUMP 2028” merchandise to the White House gift shop. Former chief strategist Steve Bannon claimed in October 2025: “He’s gonna get a third term… There’s a plan.”

While the White House insists such comments are humorous or hypothetical, critics argue they normalize the idea of bypassing constitutional limits and electoral accountability.

The Constitution mandates regular elections for Congress (Article I) and the presidency (Article II), with the 22nd Amendment explicitly limiting presidents to two elected terms. Any attempt to “skip” midterms or extend tenure would face insurmountable legal, political, and institutional barriers.

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Trump’s statement—facetious or not has been seized by Democrats as campaign ammunition, portraying him as a threat to democracy. Republicans have largely downplayed it, with Leavitt’s clarification emphasizing the president’s lighthearted intent.

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The comment ensures the midterms will be framed not only as a policy referendum but as a test of democratic resilience as the 2026 cycle accelerates. With Trump actively endorsing candidates, shaping the GOP platform, and warning of personal consequences for electoral failure, the president’s words carry weight far beyond a casual quip.

Whether Republicans rally behind his midterm call or distance themselves from the rhetoric will likely shape the party’s strategy—and its electoral fortunes—in the months ahead.

For now, Trump’s suggestion that elections might be unnecessary has ensured the 2026 midterms will be remembered as much for what he said about them as for what actually happens in them.