US election 2026: Trump’s game plan includes three states, one long-shot bet to ‘Make America 2024 Again’

Trump US election midterm campaign plan: US president Donald Trump quietly began his return to the campaign trail in December, but allies say the pace is set to intensify in the New Year as Republicans make an aggressive push to hold onto Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, as per a report.

Trump ramps up campaign push to protect GOP control of Congress

With history working against the party in power during midterms, Republican officials acknowledge the challenge ahead. One Republican National Committee official told the Daily Mail that the GOP’s hopes rest on turning out Trump voters “like he were on the ticket,” something no modern president has successfully replicated during a midterm cycle, as per the report.

According to one administration insider, Trump’s strategy is centered on three key states: North Carolina, Michigan, and Georgia, as per the Daily Mail report.

Senate races in Michigan and Georgia could decide control

In Michigan and Georgia, Republicans are eyeing Senate seats currently held by Democrats in states Trump won in 2024. Both states also feature open gubernatorial races that The Cook Political Report rates as toss-ups, adding to their importance. A Republican victory in any of these states would likely block Democrats from reclaiming control of the Senate.

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North Carolina Senate race puts GOP on defense

North Carolina presents a different challenge. Republicans are defending a Senate seat being vacated by Thom Tillis, after Trump’s daughter-in-law opted not to run and the GOP nomination went to a less dynamic candidate. The race is considered highly competitive.

GOP says it is moving fast ahead of midterms

The RNC official said, "We are more bullish on this midterm cycle than in previous years," adding that, "We are moving at lighting speed, taking the lead from the White House on that," as quoted by Daily Mail.

Trump’s affordability tour doubles as campaign rallies

Trump has already made two stops on what was billed as an affordability tour aimed at promoting his economic agenda. He appeared in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on December 9, and later in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on December 19, before heading to Mar-a-Lago for the holidays. But both events quickly took on the tone of campaign rallies, with Trump veering off script and focusing more on energizing Republican voters than on economic messaging.

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Democrats push back on Trump’s economic message

Critics labeled some of Trump’s economic comments as “out of touch,” pointing to ongoing financial struggles faced by residents in both states. Democratic National Committee Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer told the Daily Mail that Trump "continues to dismiss working families' concerns about affordability as a 'hoax,'" as quoted in the report.

JD Vance expected to join the campaign trail

Vice President JD Vance is also expected to campaign in 2026 and is viewed by some Republicans as a more effective messenger on economic issues. In November, as unemployment rose to a four-year high, Vance acknowledged the financial strain Americans are feeling and asked for patience, as per The Daily Mail report.

Trump endorsement shapes North Carolina Senate race

Trump’s North Carolina appearance included former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley, now running for the state’s open Senate seat with Trump’s endorsement. The race is considered a toss-up, with Whatley facing Democratic candidate Roy Cooper, a former governor known for drawing Republican crossover votes.

One administration insider said candidates perform best when they ride on the president’s “coattails,” a sentiment echoed by an RNC official who described Trump as the, "greatest force for voter turnout and that's something that Democrats can't replicate," as quoted by the Daily Mail report.

Democrats warn Trump-focused strategy could backfire

Democrats, however, argue that centering the midterms around Trump will backfire. Witmer said "Trump's tour will remind working Americans of how Republicans sold them out to give billionaires tax breaks. In just one year, Trump's 2024 coalition is unraveling as prices soar and good-paying jobs are harder and harder to come by," as quoted by Daily Mail.

Polls show Trump in weaker position than 2024

Trump will be campaigning from a weaker position than in 2024. A December Daily Mail poll found that 48% of registered voters believe the cost of living has become more unaffordable since Trump returned to office. Another poll showed his approval rating at 45%, with 55% disapproval.

Georgia and Michigan seen as key GOP opportunities

In Georgia, Trump is expected to campaign against Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff after Governor Brian Kemp declined to run for the seat. In Michigan, Republicans see an opening following Senator Gary Peters’ decision not to seek reelection, with several House districts also viewed as battlegrounds.

Trump plans to campaign like it’s 2024 again

Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, previewed the approach in a December interview, saying Trump will campaign "like it's 2024 again," as quoted in the report. She said that, "We're actually going to turn that on its head and put him on the ballot... because so many of those low-propensity voters are Trump voters," adding "He's a difference-maker, and he certainly is a turnout machine," as quoted by Daily Mail.

FAQs

Which states are Trump’s top targets?
North Carolina, Michigan, and Georgia.

Why are Michigan and Georgia so important?
Both have Democratic-held Senate seats in states Trump won in 2024.