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No, Trump Can't Cancel the Midterms. He's Doing This Instead
**As President Donald Trump continues to express his concerns about losing unified Republican power in Washington and his dwindling public support, he's been talking about not holding the November midterm elections. However, as we'll explore below, canceling the election is not an option – but that doesn't mean Trump isn't trying to change the game.
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Why Trump Wants to Change the Game
**Trump has been puzzled by his low approval ratings, which are underwater on every issue, according to a recent CNN poll. "I wish you could explain to me what the hell's going on with the mind of the public," he told House Republicans in a speech earlier this month. Later, he added: "Now, I won't say, 'Cancel the election. They should cancel the election,' because the fake news will say, 'He wants the elections canceled. He's a dictator.'"
However, Trump did have a more candid conversation about canceling the election with Reuters this week. He said Republicans have been so successful that "when you think of it, we shouldn't even have an election." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that the president was "joking" and "being facetious" – but Trump's musings on canceling the election are no laughing matter.
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What's at Stake in November
**As we approach the midterms, Republicans know they're facing an uphill battle. Presidents rarely pick up seats in a midterm, and their administration has been moving at breakneck speed to change the government because, as his chief of staff famously said, they know that presidents expect to lose power after their first two years.
If Democrats gain control of the House or Senate, it would give them significant leverage over Trump's agenda – including the power to investigate his administration and require their buy-in for spending.
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What Trump Can Do Instead
**While canceling the election isn't an option, Trump is still trying to change the game. He wants more control over how states conduct elections, despite the Constitution requiring that a new Congress be sworn in on January 3, 2027. Election Day is set in law, but state governors and legislatures could, in theory, move their own elections to deal with a major disaster.
However, there's no precedent for this, and it would likely face significant legal challenges. To get into the weeds of all of this, read a report from the Congressional Research Service.
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Trump's Distrust of US Elections
**This isn't the first time Trump has expressed his distrust in US elections. He told the New York Times recently that he regrets not directing National Guards to seize voting machines after the 2020 election. Even the elections he has won, he has said were rigged – despite there being no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
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The Reality on the Ground
**While Trump may fantasize about canceling the election, the reality is that the election system is already changing in some key ways. Some of them may be enormously consequential.
* The redistricting war continues to rage, with Republicans drawing themselves nine more friendly seats across the country and Democrats ending up with six, mostly in California. * Expect a very different House in the near future – one that could look increasingly like the presidential map.
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Conclusion
**In conclusion, while canceling the election is not an option for Trump, he's still trying to change the game. The reality on the ground is that the election system is already changing, with significant consequences for the future of American democracy.
We'll continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.