Midterm Elections The Republican Defeat

Trump advisors discussed cyanide before the election: “We are the enemy”

Six days before the election, several of Donald Trump’s top advisors met to discuss the outlook for the midterm elections, according to reports from The New York Times. The mood was grim, and there was reportedly talk of cyanide pills.

On the positive side, they noted that the campaign war chest was strong and that they were successfully reaching their target voters with their messaging. On the negative side, all indicators pointed toward a total rout.

The meeting was marked by gallows humor and jokes about funeral arrangements, prison food, presidential pardons, and even discussions about fleeing the country.

“Maybe we can get asylum in Israel,” joked Tony Fabrizio, Trump’s chief pollster.

Factors cited for the debacle include the economic fallout from the war in Iran, an overly harsh immigration policy, and Trump’s decision to back a number of weak candidates.

“I have seen the enemy, and it is us,” Trump’s chief strategist had told the group a week earlier.

More complaints against Hegseth: “I don’t understand why”

Donald Trump claims to be receiving calls from people who are unhappy with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CNN reports, citing an interview with ABC.

The President did not specify who is lodging these complaints, but he does not believe they are justified.

“I don’t understand why.” The war in Iraq has been identified as the primary explanation for the Republicans' defeat in the elections for the House of Representatives and the Senate, and on Wednesday, reports circulated suggesting that Trump is considering replacing Hegseth. However, Trump has denied this.