Trump Says He’ll Be the One to Take the Heat If GOP Loses the Midterms

Even as he tries to convince every corner of the country that the GOP will ride to victory in the November elections, former President Donald Trump is already bracing for the worst‑case scenario. Speaking from an indoor arena in a deep‑red Tennessee county Saturday night, he warned his supporters that if Republicans don’t pull through, the blame will land squarely on his shoulders.

“If we don’t win the midterms, they’re going to blame me,” Trump said, pausing for effect before adding, “And if we do win, I’ll get no credit whatsoever. It’s true. I won’t get any.” The comment, part rally‑cry and part self‑inflicted roast, came after a grueling hour‑and‑a‑half speech that mixed traditional campaign rhetoric with the kind of off‑the‑cuff asides only he seems comfortable delivering.

He leaned into the criticism, noting, “You better get out there and vote. I’m working my ass off.” The former president’s tone was almost resigned – a hint that he knows history isn’t on his side. Midterm elections have a long record of punishing the party of the sitting president, and Trump’s own numbers aren’t helping. An NBC News average of recent polls puts his approval at a dismal 38 % while 59 % disapprove.

Still, Trump is trying to flip the script. He’s crisscrossing the country at breakneck speed – Tennessee was his seventh stop in October alone – and he’s offering something no other candidate has: a promise that every adult who votes for a Republican will receive a $5,000 check. “With your vote on Nov. 3, you’ll get $5,000,” he told the crowd, a line that sounded part boast, part bribe. The total cost of that pledge, if every eligible voter cashed in, would top $1.3 trillion, a figure that shocked even his most loyal listeners.

Trump tried to silence the narrative that his popularity is fading. A quick clip from a CNN segment – a network his administration banned from the White House last month – was shown on the big screen, displaying near‑unanimous support among MAGA voters. “I’m very popular, I really am,” he repeated, as if the image alone could convince the skeptics.

He also hinted at his own role in the Tennessee races, asking rhetorically, “What the hell am I doing in Tennessee?” before answering himself, “I want to reward the places that have automatically treated you well.” After all, the state gave him a comfortable 18‑point margin in 2024, and every Republican on the ballot there looks poised to cruise to victory.

Some Republican strategists say Trump’s relentless schedule is exactly what the party needs: a shot of energy to get his base out of the door on Nov. 3. Others wonder whether the constant appearances are a sign of desperation – a man who knows the odds are stacked against his side and is trying, in any way possible, to tip the scales.

Whatever the outcome, Trump made it clear he expects to be the scapegoat if things go south. “If we lose, they’ll blame me,” he said, his voice echoing through the Tennessee arena. “If we win, I get no credit.” It’s a paradox that perfectly captures his brand: unapologetically bold, yet somehow always prepared for the fallout.