House Speaker Mike Johnson delivered a forceful speech at Turning Point USA’s Phoenix summit, warning that a GOP loss in the 2026 midterms could trigger chaos and potential impeachment efforts against former President Trump. He characterized Democrats as "radical left Marxists," urged supporters to "fight like happy warriors," and praised Charlie Kirk’s style of activism. Johnson’s remarks arrive as polling shows Trump’s approval remains negative and analysts report a decline in "MAGA" identification within the GOP.
Mike Johnson Warns Of 'Chaos' If GOP Loses 2026 Midterms, Calls For 'Happy Warriors'
Mike Johnson claimed that the Democrats are 'overrun by Marxists' and will cause 'chaos' if midterms go in their favor. / C-SPAN
House Speaker Mike Johnson departed from his customary cautious tone to deliver an urgent, high-energy address at Turning Point USA’s summit in Phoenix, warning that the country could face turmoil if Republicans fail to hold power in the 2026 midterm elections.
Johnson framed his message around a stark contrast he called the Republican “split screen,” arguing that Democrats have been overtaken by extreme elements. “On the other side of that split screen—and quick summary—you see the radical left Marxist Democrats, and they are being overrun by the Marxists, they truly are. This is not your father’s Democratic Party anymore,” he said.
The speaker said that everything the people in the crowd 'stand for' is under threat, and warned that the Democrats would impeach Trump. / C-SPAN
He continued: “And they want to dismantle the very foundations of our Republic and everything that we all stand for and that Charlie Kirk evangelized. Everything that’s been said here, everything is on the line in the midterms of 2026. And we have much more to do.”
“If we lose the House majority, the radical left—as you’ve already heard—is going to impeach President Trump, they are going to create absolute chaos. We cannot let that happen, and I know you won’t. I know you won’t.”
Johnson closed by urging attendees to emulate conservative activist Charlie Kirk. “I want to leave you with three things. If we refuse to let the left and the mainstream media lie without being challenged, if we refuse to let outside forces divide us... and if we all will do as Charlie did—and that is fight like happy warriors, advance his principles and adopt his approach—we will win next year and we will save the greatest nation in the history of the world,” he declared.
Johnson told people to 'fight' and to adopt the principles of Charlie Kirk. / The Salt Lake Tribune / Getty Images
Polling Context And Party Tensions
Johnson’s remarks come amid troubling polling trends for Republicans. CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten observed that former President Donald Trump’s approval rating has been negative every day since March 12. Meanwhile, NBC analyst Steve Kornacki reported a decline in voters identifying as “MAGA,” with some shifting toward more moderate, anti-Trump positions.
Those trends have amplified anxiety inside the GOP. Some state parties are encouraging expanded mail voting despite Trump’s past claims that mail ballots were manipulated in 2020, and the president has floated aggressive policy promises and broad pardon pledges that have drawn mixed reactions from conservatives.
Polls show that Trump and the GOP are at risk during midterms, with Johnson himself under pressure from within the party. / tasos katopodis / Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Johnson’s Standing Within The GOP
Johnson himself has faced criticism from colleagues over perceived inaction on high-profile issues, including questions about his handling of matters tied to Jeffrey Epstein and disputes over health-care priorities. He has also at times appeared uncomfortable responding to some of Trump’s most explosive public statements.
When pressed about recent incendiary comments by the former president concerning actor Rob Reiner, Johnson told CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin that he and Trump sometimes address issues differently. “That’s not the way I would have done it. It’s not the way I have done it. You know, that’s my comment on it,” he said, a relatively measured distancing compared with other GOP responses.
Johnson’s Phoenix speech emphasized rallying the Republican base and building activist momentum ahead of 2026, even as party leaders debate strategy and messaging in the face of shifting public opinion.
