Trump Warns GOP After Election Night Setback: “We Learned a Lot”

Former President Donald Trump issued a stark message to Republicans following a string of disappointing election results this week, warning the party to reassess its strategy ahead of 2026. Speaking on Truth Social and later at a private breakfast with GOP senators, Trump pointed to two key reasons for the losses — the ongoing government shutdown and his absence from the ballot.

“‘TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,’ according to Pollsters,” Trump wrote late Tuesday night, quoting internal surveys shared with campaign aides.

Despite most of the Republican losses occurring in deep-blue areas, the defeats have prompted soul-searching within the party. The most closely watched race of the night was in New York City, where far-left candidate Zohran Mamdani defeated a bipartisan coalition led by former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani’s victory, driven by progressive turnout in the Bronx and Queens, marked a major win for socialist organizers across the city.

Out on the West Coast, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 50 — a ballot initiative dismantling the state’s independent redistricting system. The measure allows the Democratic-led legislature to redraw congressional boundaries ahead of 2026, potentially creating several new blue-leaning districts and further tightening the GOP’s already narrow path to reclaim the House majority.

“It wasn’t a great night for Republicans,” Trump admitted during his remarks to Senate Republicans on Wednesday morning. “But it was an interesting evening, and we learned a lot about what motivates voters — and what doesn’t.”

In New Jersey, what many analysts expected to be a tight contest turned into a decisive victory for Democrat Mikie Sherrill. The incumbent congresswoman defeated Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli by more than 13 points, capturing roughly 56% of the vote with nearly all ballots counted.

Meanwhile, in Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger won reelection by a wide margin over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, earning nearly 58% of the vote. Both contests mirrored Trump’s prior losses in those states — margins of roughly six points — suggesting Democrats maintained their post-2020 gains despite economic and immigration concerns dominating national headlines.

Still, many Republicans argue the results say more about turnout and timing than about the party’s overall direction. With the federal government still shut down amid partisan budget battles, some GOP strategists say voter frustration hurt candidates across the board.

“This wasn’t a referendum on Trump,” one Republican aide said. “It was a referendum on Washington — and right now, Washington looks dysfunctional.”

A Brewing Legal Battle Over Eligibility

While the results left Republicans disappointed, one outcome in particular has already sparked a new political confrontation. Following Mamdani’s upset win in New York City, several House Republicans are exploring ways to block him from taking office, citing the Constitution’s post–Civil War “insurrection clause.”

The effort, first reported by the New York Post, is being pushed by the New York Young Republican Club. The group argues that Mamdani’s prior calls to “resist ICE” and his participation in anti-police protests could be interpreted as giving “aid or comfort to the enemies” of the United States — language drawn directly from Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

That clause, adopted in 1868, was designed to bar former Confederate officials from serving in government. It prohibits any person who has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against the United States, or provided support to its enemies, from holding public office.

“There is a real and legitimate push to see that he is either removed from the ballot or prevented from being seated,” said Stefano Forte, president of the New York Young Republican Club.

The campaign echoes last year’s attempt by Democratic officials in Colorado to disqualify Trump from the presidential ballot under the same clause — a move that the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately rejected. In its unanimous decision, the Court ruled that Congress — not individual states — bears the sole authority to enforce Section 3.

That ruling has now emboldened Republicans in the House, who believe it gives them the legal foundation to challenge Mamdani’s eligibility through a congressional vote.

According to two senior aides, GOP leaders are weighing the possibility of introducing a resolution declaring Mamdani ineligible for office. While such a move would be largely symbolic, it could trigger broader legal proceedings and force the courts to revisit the limits of congressional power under the 14th Amendment.

Still, the measure faces steep obstacles. Any such vote would likely stall in the Democrat-controlled Senate, and legal experts predict an immediate judicial challenge if the House proceeds.

“This would be largely unprecedented,” said constitutional scholar Dr. Evelyn Ross of Georgetown University. “Congress has rarely attempted to invoke Section 3 directly, and doing so now would raise enormous constitutional and political questions.”

Trump’s Focus: Regroup and Rebuild

Despite the internal divisions, Trump remains optimistic that the setbacks will serve as a wake-up call for his party heading into 2026.

“The Democrats had their base fired up,” he told senators. “We’ve got to do the same — unify, stay focused, and fight smarter.”

While some in the GOP blame the government shutdown for depressing turnout, others say the party’s messaging remains too fragmented. Trump’s allies insist the solution lies in emphasizing economic populism, border security, and cultural issues that resonate with working-class voters.

“Last night wasn’t the end,” Trump said. “It was a reminder — if Republicans don’t fight for the people who built this country, someone else will.”