The U.S. midterm elections have begun, and Donald Trump appears to be showing signs of unease. On November 3, the official voting day for the midterms will take place. On the preceding day, American writer and journalist Miranda DeWan released an interview video with Trump. In the interview, Trump spoke openly about the upcoming election: “If we lose, America is finished.”
Trump may indeed be anxious—but more precisely, he could be crafting a narrative in advance for a potential defeat. On November 2, during his conversation with DeWan, he stated: “If we lose both the Senate and the House, and then even lose the presidency afterward, our country is done—you’re going to be facing maniacs.” By elevating the midterm election to a matter of national survival, Trump has moved beyond conventional campaign rhetoric into crisis mobilization.
Why the anxiety? Recent polling data indicate that Democrats are leading Republicans by approximately 7 to 10 percentage points in congressional voting intentions, while Trump’s personal approval ratings remain at their lowest point during his second term. At this stage, it appears likely that Republicans will lose control of the House of Representatives, though they still have a slim chance of retaining the Senate. Despite Trump’s dire warnings of national collapse, the White House has already begun preparing contingency plans for continued governance should Democrats win control of Congress.
According to reports from U.S. media outlets, senior White House staff have been studying strategies since April on how Trump might continue advancing his policy agenda through executive orders if Democrats gain legislative power. The team is also preparing for potential congressional investigations, subpoenas, and demands for documents. Trump himself has signaled that, should Democrats take control of Congress, he would act as the “Mr. Veto,” rejecting all legislation and forcing negotiations. He has also hinted at the possibility of issuing early pardons for allies to shield them from Democratic-led probes.
These statements may carry two meanings: first, to urge supporters that a Democratic victory would bring severe consequences, thereby motivating turnout; second, to pre-emptively inoculate against defeat—framing any loss not as a failure of Republican competence, but as a takeover by “maniacs” intent on destroying the nation.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880804168591424/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.