The Trump coalition is shattered – what will Republicans do now?
Republicans are in soul-searching mode after the coalition that powered Donald Trump to three straight presidential nominations imploded in spectacular fashion in the 2026 midterms, writes BBC Washington correspondent Daniel Bush, alongside Madeline Halpert. The stunning election defeat immediately raised questions about the party's future post-Trump, as the party lost control of the House and Senate, as well as governorships and state legislatures in red states like Texas and Kansas. Outgoing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called the midterms close to an extinction-level event for Republicans, while Vice-President JD Vance blamed the results on public anger over the war with Iran. Following the defeat, Trump appointed Stephen Miller as his new White House chief of staff. Analysts note that the 2028 Republican nomination race is now wide open, with potential contenders including JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.