RNC Chair Joe Gruters told Fox News Digital his top priority is preserving the GOP’s narrow House and Senate majorities in the 2026 midterms, calling President Donald Trump the party’s "secret weapon" to energize voters. Gruters cited Trump’s active trail schedule, a fundraising advantage, and recent tax cuts as reasons for optimism, while Democrats counter that inflation and affordability remain decisive issues. Both parties now frame the midterms around turnout, pocketbook concerns, and ground-game messaging.
RNC Chair Calls Trump the GOP’s ‘Secret Weapon’ To Protect House And Senate In 2026 Midterms
President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to deliver remarks on the U.S. economy and affordability at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, Dec. 9, 2025.(Reuters Photos)
EXCLUSIVE — Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters told Fox News Digital he has a single, urgent goal: to preserve the Republican Party’s slim House majority and narrow control of the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections. Gruters said the GOP can "defy history" — and he identified President Donald Trump as the party’s "secret weapon" to energize voters and help win seats up and down the ballot.
Gruters’ Argument
Gruters acknowledged the conventional midterm headwinds facing the party in power, but argued that Trump’s return to the White House and active campaign schedule change the dynamics. "I think the President of the United States is our secret weapon... He’s laser focused," Gruters said in a Fox News Digital interview, adding that Trump’s policy agenda during his first year back will "pay huge dividends across the board," from gubernatorial contests to local races.
Gruters pointed to recent stops in several battleground states and said the president plans to "barnstorm the country with our candidates." He also highlighted what he described as the RNC’s fundraising advantage over the Democratic National Committee: "We’re raising a ton of money," he said, but cautioned that cash alone won’t be enough — turnout and enthusiasm will be decisive.
Policy Pitch: Taxes and Affordability
Before joining the RNC, Gruters worked as a certified public accountant, and he emphasized tax cuts included in the administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act as a key selling point. "People are very excited about filing their taxes this year. This should be some of the biggest refunds that anybody has gotten," he said.
On everyday costs, Gruters argued the White House is focused on pocketbook issues. He cited lower gas prices — the lowest since 2021, he said — and falling egg prices as signs that affordability is improving and that Republican policy is delivering results.
Democratic Response And Political Context
Democrats dispute that message. They point to Trump’s uneven approval ratings and persistent voter concerns about inflation and living costs. Party strategists highlight a recurring GOP problem: some MAGA-aligned voters are less reliable when Trump is not on the ballot, creating turnout vulnerabilities in non-presidential races.
"One year into his second term, Donald Trump has made one thing unmistakably clear: He doesn’t care about everyday Americans — he only cares about himself and his billionaire donors," DNC Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer said, arguing Democrats will hold Republicans accountable for failing to address affordability.
Democrats also point to strong Democratic performances in numerous 2025 contests and special elections, which they say were driven by an intense focus on price pain among voters.
What To Watch
As both parties sharpen their messaging for 2026, the key variables will be turnout, whether Trump’s mobilizing effect holds in down-ballot races, and how voters perceive changes in prices and pocketbook issues. Gruters is betting on active campaigning, fundraising muscle, and tax policy messaging to keep GOP majorities intact; Democrats are betting voters will prioritize affordability and punish Republicans at the ballot box.
Help us improve.
