President Donald Trump has indicated he will not devote his full energy to campaigning, appearing instead to accept the prospect of becoming a lame-duck president in 2027 and pursuing agreements with Democrats.
For observers who have followed his remarks closely, that stance may not be unexpected.
Since late last year, Trump has repeatedly pointed to the longstanding political pattern in which a president’s party loses support in the midterms, often allowing the opposition to take control of Congress.
He has said presidents rarely defy that trend and has at times questioned whether Republicans can overcome history in this election cycle.
That context made his response less surprising when Fox News host Laura Ingraham asked whether he would ‘campaign harder than you’ve ever campaigned’ this month.
‘No,’ Trump replied quickly. ‘The hardest I ever campaigned, because I had to win, was the last. I took four months, no empty days, no empty hours. I made speeches all day.’
Trump said he did not take a day off during the final 120 days of the 2024 campaign.
‘But isn’t this just as important, Mr President? I mean, your whole legacy is on the line,’ Ingraham responded, appearing taken aback by his relaxed approach.
Trump said he will not campaign as hard as possible this month, even as Republicans face weak polling and difficult odds of retaining control of Congress.
Trump sits with his eyes closed during a 9/11 ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday morning. He returned to the White House at about 3:00 a.m. local time after attending a GOP convention in Dallas.
‘It’s never as important,’ Trump contended.
As the president would explain, he will be remembered for being a president who blocked Democratic priorities in his final two years.
He would strike the occasional deal with the liberals too, he added.
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‘Look, I’m campaigning for other people. When you say my legacy, I’ll be a block. I’ll end up being a blocker. I’ll block all their bad stuff for two years,’ he said.
‘It won’t be the same, but I’ll be a blocker. What can I tell you? And probably be able to make deals with them.’
When the camera briefly cut back to the host, she had a surprised look on her face with her mouth hanging open.
Trump continued: ‘They’re going to want some stuff, and you to make deals; it’s one of those things.’
‘So, it’s not as dire,’ he said, quickly adding, ‘maybe it is?’
According to the popular prediction market Kalshi, Republicans have a 52 percent chance of retaining the Senate. Democrats need to flip four seats to do so.
Some of Trump’s allies in Congress have expressed concern about Republicans’ chances in the midterms. But the president is already seemingly resigned to that fate, talking openly about negotiating with Democrats
Meanwhile, Democrats have a commanding 86 percent chance of winning the House of Representatives.
Should Democrats win both chambers of Congress, they would be able to jam through legislation to undo the president’s agenda without Republican votes.
They would also likely begin sweeping investigations into Trump, his administration, his associates and likely his network of businesses.
Though Trump seems unconcerned now with the possibility of Democratic control of Congress, he may feel differently when his top military and Cabinet officials start getting dragged to hostile hearings on Capitol Hill and his agenda unravels.
Fox News, which hosted live coverage of Trump’s Thursday night speech at the GOP convention, only brought in an average audience of about 2.5 million for the conclusion of the event.
The outlet did not get the usual ‘Trump bump’ in ratings that occasionally comes with carrying his live remarks, but maybe some are tired of the show.