Donald Trump is at the centre of the 2026 US midterm battle for Congress. Republicans are defending a 53-seat Senate majority, with many seats in states Trump carried in 2024. Trump has been actively campaigning for candidates, but some in competitive races now use more distance from him on specific issues.
1. Donald Trump: The president at the centre of the midterm battle
Trump isn't on the ballot, but his presidency is deeply intertwined with the 2026 midterms. Republicans are defending a 53-seat Senate majority, with many GOP-held seats located in states Trump carried in 2024. Trump has been actively campaigning for Republican candidates, including making repeated trips to Texas and rallying behind Senate contenders. At the same time, Reuters reports that some Republican candidates in competitive races are creating more distance from the president on particular issues. That makes Trump's role in the midterms unusually important: his endorsement can energise Republican voters, while candidates must also navigate his national approval ratings and the issues dominating their states. The result is an election in which Trump's political influence is being tested well beyond the White House.