America in transit

The 2026 US midterm elections have delivered a resounding political warning to Donald Trump and the Republican Party. The Grand Old Party has suffered a major setback in both chambers of Congress, losing its legislative majority largely on account of the political consequences of Trump’s presidency, policies and style of governance. Voters appear to have rejected not merely Republican candidates but an administration increasingly associated with arrogance, controversy and disregard for institutional accountability. Trump returned to the White House in 2024 promising to Make America Great Again. Yet the country that has emerged under his leadership appears increasingly isolated, traditional alliances strained and Americans paying more for household items than before. His conduct towards the press, visiting dignitaries and political leaders has repeatedly raised questions about his understanding of the dignity, restraint and responsibility expected of a president. The controversies surrounding Trump’s past have further damaged public confidence. His association with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted paedophile and sex offender, and the continuing controversy over the Epstein files demand transparency. If these records contain information relevant to public accountability, withholding or selectively disclosing them only fuels suspicion. No president should be allowed to treat transparency as a matter of political convenience. Trump’s presidential appointments has also come under scrutiny. The elevation of Kash Patel as FBI director and Pete Hegseth as Defence Secretary has raised concerns that personal loyalty is being placed above professional competence. Patel’s public appearances and handling of the bureau have invited questions about his preparedness and independence. Allegations that his appointment could serve to protect Trump from potentially damaging disclosures relating to the Epstein investigation must be examined through evidence rather than political speculation. Hegseth, meanwhile, faces criticism over his handling of the military and how tensions and differences had forced some to resign. The conflict with Iran presents an even more serious test of Trump’s leadership. Reported American military losses, involving personnel and equipment, demand a full accounting of the decisions that led to the conflict and its continuing costs. War cannot be conducted through presidential bravado. Vice President JD Vance’s defence of Trump, including his confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over his attire during a White House meeting, has reinforced the impression that the administration is more concerned with personal loyalty and appearances than substantive diplomacy. Similar questions arise over possible conflicts between public policy and private interests involving Russia, Venezuela and West Asia, including the business activities of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. These matters warrant independent scrutiny. Trump’s admiration for authoritarian leaders such as Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un raises fundamental questions about his understanding of democratic leadership. Strongmen may command obedience, but democracy depends on restraint, dissent and institutional checks. A president who treats these safeguards as obstacles ultimately undermines the system that legitimises his own authority. The Republican setback should therefore be seen as more than an electoral reversal. It is a warning against governing through intimidation, personal loyalty and political spectacle. America needs to examine not only the damage inflicted on its institutions but also how elections, presidential powers and the influence of money have been allowed to shape public life. The next administration will inherit this political and institutional mess. Its credibility will depend on restoring democratic safeguards, strengthening accountability and ensuring that allegations of wrongdoing under Trump are subjected to independent investigation. Making America great again requires rebuilding institutions, not bending them to serve one man.