The Guardian

Are the US midterms going to see a blue wave of Democrats winning seats – or a blue flood?

David Smith in Washington — Sun, 01 Nov 2026 05:00:03 GMT

Donald Trump uttered five words this summer that could seal the Republican party’s fate: ‘Pretend I’m on the ticket’

He spoke admiringly of a senator’s posterior. He baselessly accused a Muslim candidate of being a terrorist. He boasted about his renovations of the White House. He quipped that his own supporters couldn’t afford a hamburger at his Mar-a-Lago club. Every now and then, he spoke about the cost of living, and other everyday concerns of voters.

Donald Trump has held dozens of campaign rallies before next week’s US midterm elections. The 80-year-old remains convinced that he can prove the doubters wrong again and help Republicans retain control of the US Congress. But it was five words he uttered at this summer’s Republican convention in Dallas that could seal his party’s fate: “Pretend I’m on the ticket.”

The Guardian

Are the US midterms going to see a blue wave of Democrats winning seats – or a blue flood?

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