Trump says tariffs will help House Republican ahead of midterms

WASHINGTON: President Trump told House Republicans late on Tuesday that his tariffs will help them ahead of the midterm elections in 2026.

“We’re going to win the midterm elections and we’re going to have a tremendous, thundering landslide. I really believe that,” Trump said, speaking at the National Republican Congressional Committee fundraising dinner.

“It’s so important that we pass the big, beautiful bill,” he continued. “And I really think we’re helped a lot by the tariff situation that’s going on, which is a good situation,” “It’s going to be legendary, you watch.”

Trump criticised lawmakers willing to defy him on tariffs at Tuesday’s dinner.

“These countries are calling me up kissing my ass,” the president said. “And then I’ll see some rebel Republican, some guy that wants to grandstand and say, ‘I think that Congress should takeover negotiations.’ Let me tell you, you don’t negotiate like I negotiate.”

“They are dying to make a deal. ‘Please, please sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything sir,’” he imitated a begging foreign leader.

Trump predicted that Republicans, who hold a 220-213 majority in the House, would expand their grip on the lower chamber next year.

“The party is doing well and there is no reason why we shouldn’t get together and win these midterms and win them by a lot,” Trump said. “We won’t just keep our majorities; we’ll expand our majorities by a lot.”

However, Democrats have signaled they will use the tariff issue against House Republicans going into the midterms. --Agencies

“They are dying to make a deal. ‘Please, please sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything sir,’” he imitated a begging foreign leader.

His rambling 90-minute address came just hours before his latest tariffs went into effect. “I know what the hell I’m doing,” the president said. “I know what I’m doing. And you know what I’m doing too. That’s why you vote for me.”

Mocking the pleas of foreign leaders, he parodied: “Please, please, sir, make a deal. I’ll do anything. I’ll do anything, sir!”

Trump told House Republicans that his tariffs will help them ahead of the midterm elections in 2026.

“We’re going to win the midterm elections and we’re going to have a tremendous, thundering landslide. I really believe that,” Trump said, speaking at the National Republican Congressional Committee fundraising dinner.

“It’s so important that we pass the big, beautiful bill,” he continued. “And I really think we’re helped a lot by the tariff situation that’s going on, which is a good situation,” “It’s going to be legendary, you watch.”