President-elect Donald Trump won’t be running in the 2026 midterms, but he’s expected to play a big role in helping Republican candidates succeed. That’s according to Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley, who spoke about Trump’s influence in an interview with the media.
The Republicans are riding high after major victories in the recent elections. Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to reclaim the White House, the GOP flipped the Senate from Democratic control, and they managed to hold on to their slim majority in the House of Representatives.
Whatley explained that the Republican game plan for the next election cycle isn’t changing much. “We need to strengthen our state parties, improve our ground game, and make sure our election processes are solid,” he said. The goal is to ensure Republican candidates are ready to win their primaries and secure victories in November 2026.
Historically, the party in power often struggles in midterm elections. And since Trump won’t be on the ballot to energize voters, some might think it’s a tough road ahead. But Whatley is confident. He believes Trump will still have a big presence, campaigning hard for Republican candidates. “We need to keep the House and Senate so we can carry out his agenda,” he emphasized.
Trump’s influence isn’t just about rallies or speeches. Whatley said, “His agenda is what we’ll be running on.” The RNC chair is also optimistic about fundraising, noting that the party is in a strong position after a successful 2024 campaign. He plans to remind donors that keeping Republican majorities in Congress is crucial to advancing Trump’s policies.
Whatley also defended the RNC’s strategy in the last election. Despite some criticism, he pointed out that their focus on “low-propensity voters” – people who don’t usually show up to vote – paid off. “It was a new system, and it worked really well,” he said. The plan is to double down on this approach in 2026.
Another key part of their success, according to Whatley, was reaching out to voters who traditionally haven’t leaned Republican, like Black, Hispanic, Asian American, young, and women voters. “We saw huge shifts towards Trump in these groups because we made an effort to connect with every American voter,” he explained.
Trump clearly values Whatley’s work. After winning the 2024 election, he appointed Whatley as the new RNC chair, succeeding Ronna McDaniel. Whatley, a longtime Trump ally and advocate for election integrity, previously led the North Carolina Republican Party.
Looking further ahead, Trump is limited to two terms as president, so he can’t run in 2028. Many expect Vice President-elect J.D. Vance to be a strong contender for the next GOP nomination. When asked about the RNC’s role in 2028, Whatley confirmed they’ll remain neutral during the primary process. But he’s excited about the party’s lineup of potential candidates, including governors, senators, and other leaders.
Whatley also highlighted how Trump has reshaped the Republican Party, calling it “the party of the working class.” He added, “Trump is the face of the America First movement, but it’s much bigger than just him. This movement is about addressing the real concerns of everyday Americans.”
As for the 2028 primaries, the RNC plans to stick with the current calendar, keeping Iowa and New Hampshire as the first contests. “We’re happy with the system as it is,” Whatley said, contrasting it with the Democratic Party, which shuffled their primary schedule in 2024.
Whatley’s message to Republicans is clear: the party is gearing up to build on their momentum, with Trump’s agenda leading the way and a focus on reaching every voter. As he put it, “We’re in a great position to keep this movement growing.”
