Full transcript: Trump on 60 Minutes

On a recent Tuesday, President Donald Trump found himself the subject of a unique political analysis from Republican Party strategist Ross Douthat. Two years prior, Trump had achieved what could be considered a historic victory, while the Republican Party's 2026 midterms resulted in a significant and potentially unprecedented defeat. This included losses in both the House and Senate, as well as in various statewide elections across red states.

During a conversation with Douthat, held in the White House, Trump began by clarifying that he did not appear on the ballot for the midterms. He attributed his victory in 2020 and subsequent electoral successes to his ability to campaign effectively for supporters and rally huge crowds across the country. However, he acknowledged that in some cases, he endorsed candidates who ultimately did not perform as expected.

Trump defended his choices, emphasizing his support for Ken Paxton in Texas, Darline Graham in South Carolina, and candidates in Florida, who were set to become a governor and senator respectively. In Trump's view, had he not endorsed these candidates, they would not have won.

When Douthat raised concerns about the apparent disconnect between Trump's popularity and the midterms' outcomes, Trump argued that the issues voters faced extended beyond his endorsement choices. He suggested that disillusionment with the ongoing Iran conflict and its impact on the economy, coupled with a perceived failure of communication from the administration, contributed to the disappointment.

Trump maintained that despite the negative perception, the U.S. economy had been robust during his tenure, citing a high stock market and strong economic indicators.