Donald Trump has returned to the campaign trail with a mission to secure Republican victories in the midterm elections. At a January rally in Iowa, he declared: "We've got to win the midterms."

As the 2026 midterm primaries approach in March, the Trump administration aims to place the president himself at the center of the campaign. Sources close to the White House indicate Trump is pursuing an aggressive strategy that could include near-weekly public rallies.

His chief of staff Susie Wiles stated in December: "He's going to campaign like it's 2024 again." Trump has already visited critical swing states Pennsylvania and North Carolina in December.

However, this strategy carries risks. The sitting president's party typically loses seats in midterm elections. Democrats hope to leverage Trump's declining poll numbers to chip away at Republican majorities in Congress.

Liberty University professor Tory L. Lucas noted: "President Trump is trying to defy this trend by nationalizing the race." Trump himself has referenced the "midterm curse" in his remarks.

Trump's approval ratings are sagging. A January poll found 57% of Americans disapprove of his job performance. Republicans hold narrow majorities of just four seats in the House and six seats in the Senate.

Emory University professor Andra Gillespie stated: "The signs don't look favourable this year for Republicans."

Source: www.aljazeera.com