Trump, the Republican Party's Would-Be 'Kingmaker,' Shows Little Interest in the November Midterm Election

[Financial News] U.S. President Donald Trump, whose approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since taking office, is said to have little interest in the outcome of the midterm election, which is now about three months away. Even if he loses control of both chambers, Trump reportedly remains confident of wielding absolute power within the Republican Party and is already planning for the next administration.
In a report on the 2nd (local time), Axios cited unnamed Trump aides as saying the same. The aides said Trump would of course prefer a landslide victory, but for now he is indifferent to the election and to the possibility of endless Democratic investigations targeting him and his family.
The United States Congress will replace all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in Sangwon in the midterm election on Nov. 3. The ruling Republican Party currently holds 218 seats in the House, a majority, and 53 seats in Sangwon, giving it a majority in both chambers. According to a forecast released on the 24th of last month by Decision Desk HQ, which aggregates polling data, the Democratic Party is estimated to have about a 60% chance of retaking a House majority in the November midterm election. The party's projected seat count is 225. Earlier, Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic House minority leader from New York State, told AP that Trump and his family should be held accountable for wrongdoing.
Separately, a poll released by CNN and other local media on the 29th of last month showed Trump's approval rating at 34%. That is the same level seen in late January 2021, when the Capitol riot took place.
Trump aides who spoke with Axios said he would continue to wield power within the Republican Party even if he loses the midterm election, and that he could test the limits of presidential authority during the remainder of his term despite Democratic attacks.
In the House, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a Republican who had been critical of Trump, lost in the party primary. Likewise, Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former House member from Georgia who also opposed Trump, has retired.
If the Republican Party keeps its Senate majority, Trump loyalists such as Mike Lee of Utah, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, and Rick Scott of Florida would take over as committee chairs. The aides predicted that Trump would use loyalists in both chambers to block Democratic political attacks and protect close allies through presidential pardons.
The aides said these conditions would allow Trump to act as the Republican Party's 'kingmaker' in the 2028 presidential election. Trump reportedly wants JD Vance, the vice president, to run as the presidential candidate in the next administration, with Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, as the vice-presidential nominee.
Axios said Trump will continue hinting at another run in the 2028 presidential election, but that it is all for publicity and a way to keep Vance and Rubio in line. It also pointed to other Republican hopefuls Trump is watching, including State of Florida Governor Ronald Dion DeSantis, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, and Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri.
Meanwhile, Axios said Trump uses his power in fundraising efforts to maintain influence beyond the presidency. An unnamed aide told Axios that Trump likes the fact that when he tells someone to give him money, that person hands it over. Another aide said Trump enjoys the fact that major politicians depend on him for fundraising, adding, "Your power is only as great as your bank balance says it is."



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