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Republican allies and strategists urged Trump to reorganise White House staff, restore discipline and reconsider policies they blamed for the defeats. Their concerns included the Iran war and tariffs as Trump’s presidency enters its final years.
Veteran Republican strategist John Feehery described the election results as a “huge disaster” for Trump.
“He needs to clean house,” Feehery said. “Every day from this point forward, he’s becoming more and more lame.”
However, Trump showed little sign that he viewed the election outcome as a reason to change direction.
“I don’t view it as a hit on me,” he told Fox News late Tuesday.
The Democratic victories will give the party greater power to block Trump’s legislative agenda, investigate his administration and challenge his nominees. As a result, Trump may rely even more heavily on executive action to advance his policies.
He must also decide whether to continue an agenda that some Republicans now consider a political liability. The debate could affect potential Republican candidates preparing for the 2028 presidential election.
Vice President JD Vance appeared to distance himself from Trump on Wednesday. He blamed the Iran war for the Republican losses.
Republican strategists and party officials said such differences could become more frequent. That may happen if party members begin questioning Trump’s influence over Republican voters.
Senior White House aides are preparing for possible staff departures, Cabinet changes and investigations by Democrats, according to a senior administration official.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity and described morale inside the White House as extremely low.
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“It absolutely sucks to be here right now,” the official said. “Morale is as low as it can get.”
The official added that internal polling had warned six weeks before the election that Republicans faced losses in both chambers. However, Trump refused to change course on Iran despite warnings about the political consequences.
“Ultimately, he just didn’t care,” the official said. “He refused to listen to anyone.”
Trump acknowledged late Tuesday that the eight-month-old Iran war had harmed Republican candidates. However, he defended his decision to launch the conflict.
Republican concerns also extend beyond the war. A political adviser said focus groups in competitive Senate races, including Michigan and Iowa, raised concerns about Trump’s priorities.
The adviser said more Republican and independent voters had questioned the president’s focus on a White House ballroom and renovation projects in Washington.
“If Trump spends the next two years talking about this same shit, we will get shellacked again in the next election,” the adviser said.
Despite the criticism, Trump visited the ballroom construction site with reporters on Wednesday. He defended the time he has devoted to the project.
“For me it’s relaxing,” he said.
The White House also responded defiantly on social media. It posted a photograph of Trump alongside the message: “PSA: TRUMP IS STILL YOUR PRESIDENT.”
Despite the election setback, Trump retains significant executive authority. Reuters previously reported that the White House had spent months preparing executive actions on immigration, tariffs, housing and federal spending.
These measures could help Trump advance parts of his agenda despite Democratic opposition in Congress.
However, executive powers cannot prevent congressional investigations into the administration.
“Nobody wants to deal with the investigations,” the senior official said.
[…] Trump Faces Republican Pressure to Change Course After Midterm Election Losses […]