Brief
Trump’s actions threaten Republican midterm prospects, SMH editorial says
The Sydney Morning Herald editorial links Trump’s tariff wars, Iran conflict and personal scandals to a record‑low 36% approval rating and waning GOP support.
By Felo News Desk · Published
In an editorial published on October 18, 2026, the Sydney Morning Herald argues that President Donald Trump’s unchecked agenda is undermining Republican chances in the 2026 U.S. congressional midterms. The piece cites Trump’s “mad tariffs,” an unresolved war in Iran, and a series of vanity projects as driving fuel prices higher and eroding his popularity, which the outlet says has fallen to a historic 36 percent approval rating. The editorial notes that compliant Republicans have failed to rein in the president, allowing him to meddle with the judiciary, influence media narratives, and shape Supreme Court appointments to secure a conservative majority.
According to the editorial, the president’s personal conduct – including alleged abuse of office for family wealth and lavish projects – has further damaged the party’s image. It points to aggressive gerrymandering and unprecedented political donations as desperate Republican tactics to counter a Democratic surge. The article highlights Trump’s August appeal to the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, urging supporters to “pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot,” and notes that Democrats have incorporated his rhetoric into their final campaign ads, ranking it as the fourth‑biggest factor turning voters away from Republicans after healthcare, taxes and special‑interest accusations.
The editorial stresses that, while the House and Senate are currently under narrow Republican control, the entire House and a third of the Senate are up for election on November 3. It suggests that Democrats could win a net gain of four Senate seats and potentially control both chambers. The piece concludes that the next two weeks are decisive, warning that Trump’s “petulant refusal to accept the will of the people” could spark a constitutional crisis, and that a Democratic takeover would be delayed by at least two months as they begin to address what the editorial calls “the rot” in Washington.
Key facts
- Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 36 percent, according to the SMH editorial. (smh.com.au)
- Both chambers of Congress are currently held by Republicans on narrow margins. (smh.com.au)
- The entire House and about a third of the Senate will be contested on November 3, 2026. (smh.com.au)
- Democrats could gain four Senate seats and potentially control both houses, the editorial says. (smh.com.au)
- Trump urged Republicans at a Dallas convention in August to act as if he were on the ballot. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “US midterm elections 2026: Trump overload killing Republican chances of victory”
