Trump promises to campaign for Republicans and says they have a winning midterm message

President Donald Trump addressed Republican lawmakers in the Rose Garden of the White House on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, urging them to campaign on his record in the White House despite his declining popularity. The president pledged to campaign in all of the approximately 35 races that could determine control of Congress. Voters' negative views on the economy and the war in Iran have placed Republicans in a difficult position as the midterm election season approaches its climax.

During a dinner in the renovated Rose Garden, Trump assured his party's most vulnerable lawmakers that they had a winning message to deliver to voters. "All you have to do is talk about it, and you're going to win and you're going to win big," he declared. The president highlighted economic investment and lower drug prices, although using exaggerated figures, as well as reduced border crossings in his campaign message.

With control of Congress hinging on around 35 contests, Trump promised to intensify his campaigning efforts in the 30 days leading up to the election, echoing his extensive travel schedule before his own presidential victory two years prior. "I'm going to go to every one of those 35 places, and we're going to see if we can get everyone elected," he declared, focusing his efforts on House and Senate races.