Republicans are about to make a huge mistake: expert

Key Points:

• Bill Maher expressed concern on his show "Real Time" that Democrats are losing the gerrymandering battle for the 2026 midterms, fearing Republicans might retain control of the U.S. House despite Donald Trump's unpopularity.
• Politico's Jonathan Martin argues that aggressive GOP gerrymandering carries significant political risks, potentially creating more competitive races and energizing Democrats, which could harm Republicans in the long term.
• Martin highlights that while Trump successfully expanded the GOP base in 2024 by appealing to younger voters and working-class minorities, his failure to consolidate these gains and pursue a cohesive agenda weakened the party's prospects.
• The Supreme Court's end to majority-minority districts and Trump's recent influence in state primaries, such as in Indiana, may push Republicans to seek more seats, but this strategy could backfire by mobilizing Democratic voters.
• Martin concludes that given Trump's unpopularity, economic concerns like high gas prices, and historical midterm trends, the 2026 election is likely to be challenging for Republicans, motivating increased liberal voter turnout.