In an opinion article published in the Wall Street Journal, veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove explained why he believes many voters may be ready to express their frustration at the ballot box when the 2026 midterm elections arrive.
Rove said he is concerned that Donald Trump is currently following a political path that could hurt him and his party. However, he also believes it is still possible for Trump to turn things around and win back public support before voters head to the polls, if he changes how he approaches the public.
In the op-ed, Rove wrote that there are growing signs many Americans are becoming exhausted by Trump’s constant exaggeration, harsh language, and desire for revenge against his critics. According to Rove, people may now be tuning out Trump’s broader message and focusing only on what they see as offensive or cruel remarks. He questioned whether the president truly believes he no longer needs to clearly explain or “sell” his policies to the public.
Rove suggested that Trump appears to think he can simply force people into agreeing with him by repeatedly claiming his accomplishments are the biggest, best, and most impressive in U.S. history. But Rove argued that this approach does not persuade voters and may instead push them away.
Drawing on his long experience in politics, Rove — who previously served as a top adviser to George W. Bush — explained that presidents tend to perform better when they make modest promises and then deliver strong results. He warned that doing the opposite, by making big promises and failing to meet expectations, often angers voters. When that happens, he said, people usually express their frustration during elections.
Rove also pointed out that Trump could gain more support if he took the time to clearly explain what his administration is trying to do and asked the public for patience while changes are being made. However, he added that this more measured and explanatory style is not typical of Trump.
Polling data appears to support Rove’s concerns. According to surveys from Gallup, Trump’s approval rating fell to a second-term low of 36 percent in late November, suggesting growing dissatisfaction among voters.
On top of these challenges, Rove said the administration’s ongoing missteps related to Jeffrey Epstein have further damaged public trust. He noted that many Trump supporters believe Epstein was at the center of a global conspiracy involving powerful and wealthy figures, and that he was killed in jail to silence him. Rove argued that Trump’s failure to fully deliver clear answers or evidence on these claims has shaken confidence in institutions like the Justice Department and the FBI.
Taken together, Rove warned that if frustration continues to grow, voters may decide to use the midterm elections as a way to punish the president and his party, turning their anger into votes against him rather than continued support.
