Donald Trump is exerting his grip on the Republican party ahead of this year’s midterm elections, analysts say. This week, with the help of an endorsement from the president, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton easily defeated Senator John Cornyn in a primary vote, to decide who will represent the GOP in November.

President Trump has campaigned against at least three Republican incumbents, including Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie and Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy – both of whom also lost their primaries.

Our Washington correspondent Daniel Bush tells us that President Trump uses his endorsements to reward loyalty and punish dissent. But how could that strategy affect the party’s chances against the Democrats in the 2026 midterms – and beyond?

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00:00 Introduction
00:34 Trump’s endorsement in Texas
02:23 Kentucky and Louisiana primaries
03:44 Trump’s low approval ratings
04:23 “Bad for the Republicans in November”
04:58 Is Trump worried about losing centrist voters?
06:14 Is Trump finished remaking the party in his image?
07:09 Trump’s future influence
07:54 Has the Republican party changed forever?

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