Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich warned on Fox Business host Larry Kudlow’s show Thursday that “there’s a lot at stake” if Republicans lose control of the House to Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections. Appearing on Kudlow, Gingrich painted a grim picture for the GOP if they fail to maintain their majority, emphasizing the need for a strong economic agenda to secure victory. He cautioned that a Democrat-led House could bring significant legislative setbacks, making Republican control even more critical.
“Almost guarantee losing the Republican House next year and ruining the last two years of President Trump’s term with Hakeem Jeffries playing the Nancy Pelosi role, investigations, blocking programs, potential impeachments,” Gingrich said. “I mean, there’s a lot at stake here, and it frankly mystifies me as to how House and Senate Republicans can’t understand you’ve got to plan back from victory.”
Gingrich emphasized the need for a strong economy and a legislative agenda centered on tax cuts, deregulation, and pro-energy affordability measures, urging that these policies be implemented no later than May or June. “The victory here is winning in November of 2026. That requires a very strong economy. That requires a very strong tax cut deregulation, a pro energy affordability bill, certainly no later than May or June. And I cannot understand these guys, you know, I lived through it,” Gingrich said.
Gingrich went on to reflect on past elections that had consequences for the GOP. “Reagan lost 26 seats in the first off-year election because his tax cuts didn’t go into effect until 1983. Trump lost 42 seats in his first-off-year election because the tax bill didn’t pass until October,” Gingrich said. “When I hear senators saying cavalierly, ‘Oh, we’ll pass the easy bill early, and we’ll get around to the other bill by October.’ They’re talking about killing the chances of keeping the House Republican.”
Gingrich proposed an assertive campaign strategy, suggesting that President Trump visit key districts to leverage his influence and sway votes. He emphasized that Trump’s active participation could be pivotal in securing Republican victories in the upcoming elections. “They need to get the bill clear, make sure that we know what’s in it, and then for about 10 weeks, we need President Trump back on the road,” he noted.
“There are 13 districts that have Democrats that he carried. There are another 21 districts that have Democrats where he came within 5%. If he goes in those 34 districts and says, ‘A no vote is a vote for a tax increase on your family,’ I think you’ll see at least half those Democrats decide to vote with the Republicans,” Gingrich said, per the video below.
Led by Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, Senate Republicans are crafting a strategy to expand their majority from 53 to 55 seats in the 2026 midterms. Historically, the party outside the White House benefits in midterm elections, and the GOP outlined its expansion efforts during a retreat in Florida hosted by the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Scott is focusing on defending GOP-held seats in Maine, North Carolina, and Ohio while targeting Democratic seats in Michigan and Georgia—two states Trump carried in 2024. If successful, this would give Senate Republicans their largest majority since George W. Bush’s second term. Additionally, they are eyeing potential pickups in Virginia, New Mexico, and Minnesota.