Republicans are likely in for a tumultuous new year, if the end of 2025 is any indication. President Donald Trump began his second term on a high, surrounded by a pageantry of riches, in firm command of his party. Within months, his tariffs upended global trade, sent prices soaring and handed Democrats pivotal election victories. Trump’s power over GOP lawmakers unfastened, culminating in a revolt over his attempts to block the release of government files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The party enters 2026 confronting a shaky midterm election forecast that mirrors the president’s declining approval ratings. This comes amid a crucial redistricting war, which Trump himself orchestrated in a bid to secure long-term GOP control over the House of Representatives. He still controls the party he commandeered more than 10 years ago, but his MAGA movement faces an uncertain future. With the fate of his final act far from settled, Trump has not yet given his blessing to a successor. That could change as the 2026 campaign trail becomes a runway of surrogates vying to lead a new, post-Trump era, if not outright running for president themselves. The ensemble of possible contestants will grow, but it already includes one of the president’s own sons, Donald Trump Jr.; Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who may not seek the White House but has tried to rebrand himself from a fist-pumping Jan. 6 riot supporter to a Medicaid-defending maverick working across the aisle; and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, whose presidential aspirations are…

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Republicans are likely in for a tumultuous new year, if the end of 2025 is any indication. President Donald Trump began his second term on a high, surrounded by a pageantry of riches, in firm command of his party. Within months, his tariffs upended global trade, sent prices soaring and handed Democrats pivotal election victories. Trump’s power over GOP lawmakers unfastened, culminating in a revolt over his attempts to block the release of government files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The party enters 2026 confronting a shaky midterm election forecast that mirrors the president’s declining approval ratings. This comes amid a crucial redistricting war, which Trump himself orchestrated in a bid to secure long-term GOP control over the House of Representatives. He still controls the party he commandeered more than 10 years ago, but his MAGA movement faces an uncertain future. With the fate of his final act far from settled, Trump has not yet given his blessing to a successor. That could change as the 2026 campaign trail becomes a runway of surrogates vying to lead a new, post-Trump era, if not outright running for president themselves. The ensemble of possible contestants will grow, but it already includes one of the president’s own sons, Donald Trump Jr.; Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who may not seek the White House but has tried to rebrand himself from a fist-pumping Jan. 6 riot supporter to a Medicaid-defending maverick working across the aisle; and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, whose presidential aspirations are…

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Republicans are likely in for a tumultuous new year, if the end of 2025 is any indication. President Donald Trump began his second term on a high, surrounded by a pageantry of riches, in firm command of his party. Within months, his tariffs upended global trade, sent prices soaring and handed Democrats pivotal election victories. Trump’s power over GOP lawmakers unfastened, culminating in a revolt over his attempts to block the release of government files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The party enters 2026 confronting a shaky midterm election forecast that mirrors the president’s declining approval ratings. This comes amid a crucial redistricting war, which Trump himself orchestrated in a bid to secure long-term GOP control over the House of Representatives. He still controls the party he commandeered more than 10 years ago, but his MAGA movement faces an uncertain future. With the fate of his final act far from settled, Trump has not yet given his blessing to a successor. That could change as the 2026 campaign trail becomes a runway of surrogates vying to lead a new, post-Trump era, if not outright running for president themselves. The ensemble of possible contestants will grow, but it already includes one of the president’s own sons, Donald Trump Jr.; Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who may not seek the White House but has tried to rebrand himself from a fist-pumping Jan. 6 riot supporter to a Medicaid-defending maverick working across the aisle; and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, whose presidential aspirations are…

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Republicans are likely in for a tumultuous new year, if the end of 2025 is any indication. President Donald Trump began his second term on a high, surrounded by a pageantry of riches, in firm command of his party. Within months, his tariffs upended global trade, sent prices soaring and handed Democrats pivotal election victories. Trump’s power over GOP lawmakers unfastened, culminating in a revolt over his attempts to block the release of government files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The party enters 2026 confronting a shaky midterm election forecast that mirrors the president’s declining approval ratings. This comes amid a crucial redistricting war, which Trump himself orchestrated in a bid to secure long-term GOP control over the House of Representatives. He still controls the party he commandeered more than 10 years ago, but his MAGA movement faces an uncertain future. With the fate of his final act far from settled, Trump has not yet given his blessing to a successor. That could change as the 2026 campaign trail becomes a runway of surrogates vying to lead a new, post-Trump era, if not outright running for president themselves. The ensemble of possible contestants will grow, but it already includes one of the president’s own sons, Donald Trump Jr.; Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who may not seek the White House but has tried to rebrand himself from a fist-pumping Jan. 6 riot supporter to a Medicaid-defending maverick working across the aisle; and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, whose presidential aspirations are…

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