Trump Urges Voters to Pretend He’s on Ballot Ahead of Midterms
In a recent interview, Trump emphasizes his influence on Republican turnout and highlights his accomplishments as pressure mounts before the November elections
President Donald Trump is urging voters to "pretend I’m on the ballot" as the November midterm elections approach. Trump made this statement during an interview with Fox News’ Trey Gowdy, emphasizing his belief that Republican candidates perform best when he is on the ballot.
Why it matters: Trump’s message comes at a time when his national approval rating has dropped to 39.9%, the lowest of his current term. His call to action aims to boost Republican voter turnout in the upcoming elections.
Polling indicates that Republicans often win elections when Trump is on the ballot, leading him to encourage voters to act as if he is running.
House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed Trump’s sentiment, stating that even without Trump's name on the ballot, his agenda is still at stake.
Driving the news: In the interview aired on August 30, 2026, Trump reiterated his plea, saying, "When Trump’s on the ballot, they win." This strategy reflects his broader efforts to maintain influence over the party and its candidates.
Trump endorsed Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina, who narrowly won her primary runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman with Trump’s backing.
Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance are scheduled to speak at the Republican National Committee’s first-ever midterm convention on September 9 and 10 in Dallas.
The big picture: As the midterm elections draw near, Trump is highlighting his administration's achievements to counteract low approval ratings. The White House has circulated fact sheets detailing what they deem his major accomplishments.
These materials include messages titled "Trump Delivers: 14 Recent Wins You May Have Missed" and focus on issues like lower taxes and border security.
Trump's strategy mirrors tactics used by former President Joe Biden, who highlighted his legislative successes ahead of his reelection campaign.
What they're saying: Critics have responded to Trump's interview with skepticism, pointing out unusual statements he made during the segment.
In one part of the interview, Trump claimed to have "largely taken care of inflation," a statement met with disbelief as high prices continue to burden consumers.
Comedian Stacy Cay remarked on social media, “Pretend gas prices aren’t high. Pretend inflation isn’t getting worse.”
By the numbers: Trump's current approval rating of 39.9% is a stark reminder of the challenges he faces.
This rating is reminiscent of low points during his first term, particularly around midterm elections.
In 2018, Republicans lost a net 40 seats in the House, a scenario Trump is eager to avoid repeating.
Yes, but: The political climate remains complex as Democrats also navigate their own challenges ahead of the midterms.
Democrats are grappling with internal divisions, particularly related to the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which complicates their messaging.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries faces pressure from progressives to embrace more radical policies, which may alienate moderate voters.
What's next: With just weeks until the midterms, both parties are ramping up their campaigns.
Trump's upcoming appearances at the midterm convention are expected to focus heavily on his administration's policies and how they compare to those of the Democrats.
Republicans are hopeful that by aligning with Trump's agenda, they can galvanize support and secure victories in competitive races across the country.