American President Donald Trump doesn’t seem concerned about the possibility of Republicans losing control of the House of Representatives or even the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections this fall.
According to advisers quoted by Axios, the White House leader is convinced that he will maintain his influence over the Republican Party regardless of the outcome and that he will enter the final two years of his term in a position just as strong, if not stronger, within the party.
The analysis, authored by Jim VandeHei and published on Sunday by Axios, argues that Trump is already looking beyond the November election and preparing for his role as the main arbiter of the Republican Party in view of the 2028 presidential elections.
An Even Closer Congress to Trump
According to Axios, even if the Republicans were to lose one of the chambers of Congress, Trump expects the new generation of Republican lawmakers to be much more loyal to him.
In the Senate, almost all Republicans who have criticized Trump have either been defeated or are retiring from politics. If Republicans maintain their majority, key committees are expected to be led by close allies of the president, such as Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, and Rick Scott.
And in the House of Representatives, Trump's influence is expected to grow. The analysis notes that the few Republican congressmen who opposed him could be replaced by politicians who have built their careers with his support.
Trump Wants to Decide Who Will Run in 2028
Axios claims that Trump is not the kind of leader willing to share the spotlight or prepare a successor.
On the contrary, his influence over the Republican voter base gives him the opportunity to decisively influence the selection of the party's candidate for the 2028 presidential elections and the message with which they will enter the campaign.
According to the quoted advisers, Trump would like a duo consisting of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and believes that as long as the two are part of his administration, it would be very difficult for them to distance themselves from the president.
He Will Continue to Use His Political Influence
Advisers quoted by Axios claim that Trump intends to use his influence and the levers of his office to continue to attract donations even after this fall's elections, thereby consolidating his position within the Republican Party.
According to them, his electoral support will remain one of the most important resources for Republican candidates, allowing him to maintain his influence over the party even after the end of his presidential term.
Three Confrontations Anticipated by Axios
The analysis identifies three possible developments after the November elections.
The first is the possibility of Trump continuing to leave open the idea of a new candidacy in 2028, even though the U.S. Constitution prohibits a third term. According to the quoted advisers, such a strategy would allow him to maintain authority over potential successors.
The second concerns the competition within the Republican Party. The White House closely monitors the progress of leaders such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Ted Cruz, and Senator Josh Hawley, whom they see as potential competitors for influence in view of the 2028 election.
The third is the potential confrontation between the White House and Congress. If the Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives, new investigations into Trump's family, wealth, and policies are expected. Axios notes that one of the big questions is what would happen if the president were to instruct members of the administration, family, and associates to ignore Congress's requests, potentially triggering a new constitutional conflict regarding the limits of presidential power.
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