Andrea Innocenti When discussing American politics in ten or twenty years, the 2026 midterm elections will inevitably be cited as the moment when rhetoric transformed into a spectacle of disinformation and money. The event, held in the fall of 2026, channeled the tensions that emerged after Donald Trump's victory in 2024 and amplified them to the point where, according to many observers, they surpassed the madness of the West since the end of World War II.
The national picture: from the 2024 victory to the crisis of legitimacy
Trump's triumph in 2024 was partly the result of a population tired of an establishment perceived as distant from daily needs and partly the result of a social media campaign fueled by enormous private funding, including the hundred million dollars donated by Elon Musk to support GOP candidates.
After introducing and revoking a series of trade tariffs from top to bottom , the president has initiated cuts to welfare and taxes for the richest, fueling a dizzying fall in his popularity, which in 2026 stood at around 33%.
A further blow was the interesting but unsuccessful attempt to launch a war in Iran at the instigation of regional leaders; the conflict caused a sharp increase in the prices of petrol and diesel, while electricity bills were already burdened by the Russo- Ukrainian war.
At this point, the MAGA base began to show signs of fracturing, and the Democrats, while maintaining a more traditional rhetoric, found themselves facing unprecedented electoral resistance.
Case Studies: Texas, Michigan, Ohio, and Alaska
Texas – The Duel Between James Talarico and Ken Paxton
In the Lone Star, young Democrat James Talarico , a theology graduate, has been painted as a dangerous anti-Christian extremist, accused of attempting to force surgical operations on minors to transform them into transgender people. Meanwhile, current Attorney General Ken Paxton , already impeached for alleged money-swapping, has launched a genuine morality campaign, despite numerous photographs showing him in compromising situations with other women. Funding comes largely from Elon Musk, who has allowed Paxton to spend more than three times as much as Talarico, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.
Michigan – Abdul El Sayed under fire from Republicans
In Michigan, Egyptian-born epidemiologist Abdul El Sayed , the Democratic candidate, has been labeled a "jihadist" and an "Islamic terrorist," falsely accusing him of seeking to impose Sharia law. His platform, based on stronger public health care and a minimal tax on the wealthy, has drawn the ire of Republicans, who have exploited anti-immigration rhetoric to gain ground. Despite this, polls show Sayed with a two-point lead, a sign that frustration with Trump is affecting the region.
Ohio – The dispute between Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton
Republican contender Vivek Ramaswamy invested $4 million in a campaign ad that painted his rival Amy Acton's mother as a liar. Curiously, the mother had not had contact with her daughter since 1979, when she ran away with her second husband to escape a sexual abuse trial. The campaign based its message on personal accusations rather than policy proposals, highlighting the level of rhetorical degeneration it has reached.
Alaska – Dan S. Sullivan and Mary Peltola
In Alaska, Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan attempted to disqualify Democrat Mary Peltola from the race , claiming her candidacy was the product of a "dummy" ticket. At the same time, federal authorities searched the home of Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar , seizing computers and phones, while Trump accused her of marrying his brother to obtain US citizenship—a proven falsehood. Furthermore, the president had promised $5,000 to every US citizen in the event of a Republican victory, a promise unrealistic given the $1.35 trillion budget requested.
The election thus represented one of the darkest moments in American democracy, demonstrating how inflammatory rhetoric and money can subvert traditional electoral processes. The final outcome remains a warning to future generations, who will have to confront a political reality marked by unfounded accusations, impossible promises, and a loss of trust that is difficult to rebuild.