President Donald Trump warned House Republicans that losing the 2026 midterm elections would almost certainly lead to his impeachment by Democrats. Speaking at a retreat in Washington, he framed the election as a direct threat to his presidency rather than a routine political test.
He told lawmakers they had no margin for error and made his point bluntly. Trump said: “You gotta win the midterms ’cause, if we don’t win the midterms, it’s just gonna be I mean, they’ll find a reason to impeach me. I’ll get impeached.”
With Republicans holding only a slim House majority, Trump urged members to stop infighting and focus on messaging. He pressed them to promote his positions on gender issues, healthcare, and election integrity to voters upset about rising prices and daily costs.
Trump also acknowledged the historical trend that sitting presidents often lose seats during midterms. He said: “They say that when you win the presidency, you lose the midterm. I wish you could explain to me what the h*ll’s going on with the mind of the public.”
Despite growing pressure to address inflation, Trump spent little time on the issue. He argued the problem was inherited from Democrats and suggested Republicans instead campaign on gains in the U.S. stock market and broader economic confidence.
The remarks came during an event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which was renamed to include Trump’s name after he removed Democratic appointees from its board. In an 84 minute speech, Trump jumped between topics, including personal anecdotes and comments about public behavior.
He repeated several false claims, including that Washington had gone months without a homicide, despite police records showing otherwise. Trump also said he rarely plays golf, even though he has done so recently and often while in office.
Trump predicted Republicans would beat expectations and deliver what he called an “epic midterm victory.” He reminded lawmakers that all House seats and a third of the Senate are on the ballot, and warned that losing control of Congress would bring investigations and another impeachment push.
