October 25, 2026

Key Points:

• As the 2026 midterm campaign concludes, Democrats are gaining momentum while MAGA Republicans double down on divisive false narratives, struggling to attract voters amid a strong U.S. economy praised by The Economist.
• Trump and GOP candidates avoid discussing tariffs, a previously favored policy, due to its unpopularity and economic drawbacks, while Trump credits his policies, including a war on Iran, for oil profits benefiting companies but causing hardships for consumers.
• MAGA candidates intensify culture war tactics by targeting Muslim Democrats like Ilhan Omar and Abdul El-Sayed with unfounded accusations and politically motivated investigations, which have backfired and drawn criticism.
• Controversial campaign ads, such as Ohio Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's attack on Democratic candidate Amy Acton’s family, have sparked bipartisan condemnation and increased support for the targeted Democrats.
• Internationally, Serbia’s longtime nationalist leader Aleksandar Vučić conceded after widespread protests led to his party’s defeat, while in Brazil, President Lula da Silva won a fourth term amid refusal by his opponent, Flávio Bolsonaro, to accept election results.