Last night, pollsters met with top Trump officials and team members to size up the upcoming midterms. People like Scott Bessent, Susie Wiles and Sean Duffy met with other GOP leaders and pollster Tony Fabrizio.
NEWS
— Mark Halperin (@MarkHalperin) February 18, 2026
Last night on Capitol Hill, the senior Trump political command briefed its core team on the midterms.
Some of what occurred was previously reported on by @SophiaCai99 of @politico.
Here is a more detailed account, according to one of the attendees at the meeting at the…
Basically, it's the economy, stupid, the GOP needs to stay on message even though they know Trump will say whatever he wants, and social media and podcasts are more effective than Corporate Media. Since Americans largely don't trust Corporate Media, that makes sense.
“Facebook is still king for voters..”
— Gregert (@gregerrtt) February 18, 2026
Yikes. https://t.co/8L3YTAtz0r
... i know I''m a broken record on this, but I say watch the job figs. If they continue to be bad, it will make whatever iwould have been worse. If they get back to normal (200K a month), it will tug the other way. I say this cause other macros look good on econ, always a big var https://t.co/pegRCEINf4
— Sean Wilson (@seanwilsonorg) February 18, 2026
“Men, moderates, true independents, and Hispanic voters are the true persuadable voters.” https://t.co/xk5l1Q8C0p
— One American (@1silveramerican) February 18, 2026
Generally, that's very good for the GOP when Trump is on the ballot. Trump isn't on the ballot in the midterms, so only time will tell.
Interesting
— Kristi (@TheyCallMeNans) February 18, 2026
Last paragraph nails it. https://t.co/ouWF74Am1U
I've been in quite a few "the ship is sinking but we're putting on a brave face and trying our darndest" meetings and I'll be damned if this wasn't exactly that. https://t.co/JwPD7J5zzq
— Bear Smith (BearlyThinking.com) (@BrlyThnkng) February 18, 2026
Others felt this was not a good sign.
Again, completely detached from the electorate.
— Indig-Naytv (@Indig_Naytv) February 18, 2026
Fabrizio is a bad pollster. https://t.co/HILLdWrXSH
Others doubt the wisdom the pollster shared.
VERY INTERESTING
— AtlantaStu (@AtlantaStu) February 18, 2026
Basically, Republicans have a good chance at winning but it will be tough
Border and past success means little. Economy is THE issue https://t.co/CNsXbDUPZQ
Americans need a better understanding of how illegal immigration effects the economy. The economy and job markets will improve if there are fewer people willing to accept bargain basement wages as competition.
"The only way Republicans will lose the Senate majority is if Democrats take 50 House seats."
— Varad Mehta (@varadmehta) February 18, 2026
Hmmm. https://t.co/aPJOKpb8L1
Others still believe the GOP isn't focusing on the right issues.
This is great Mark. The only thing I would add that I think they are missing on key messages: ultra processed foods. The 60 Minutes segment that ran last weekend? Criminally underreported on. Lifestyle and wellness is a bipartisan issue that breaks through across the aisle.
— P.T. Ward (@HTWardish) February 18, 2026
NOTHING ABOUT VOTING INTEGRITY????
— ScyfyLala (@SciFiMom13) February 18, 2026
An 85/15 issue!!!
It won’t matter what these pollsters say if the other side CHEATS. And Dems are already ahead of the curve casting DJT leading the charge to suppress votes.
As far as the border, I do think it would be good to at least point out that Dems will undo Trump’s huge progress. They’ll reopen the borders and pass amnesty.
— BridgetteOnX (@BridgetteOnX) February 18, 2026
They will open the doors at the border wide open again.