Momentum

Summary

In the final days of the 2026 midterm campaign, Heather Cox Richardson argues that Democrats are gaining momentum while MAGA candidates rely on a false and increasingly unpersuasive narrative centered on cultural conflict and personal attacks.

The Economy and Tariffs

Trump continues to claim that the economy is booming and that his policies will bring prosperity. However, Republicans are largely avoiding campaign messages about tariffs after promoting them in 2024. Richardson contrasts Trump’s claims with rising fuel and transportation costs, which she links to oil shortages caused by the war with Iran. She argues that Trump has taken ownership of these policies and cannot easily evade responsibility for their consequences.

Attacks on Muslim Democrats

Trump and his allies have targeted Representative Ilhan Omar and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Richardson describes a federal raid on Omar’s home, during which personal items were taken, prompting her family to move for safety.

Richardson also recounts El-Sayed’s exchange with a man who challenged him about the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed affirmed his opposition to the organization, defended religious freedom, and challenged the man over efforts to impose religion through law. The exchange later appeared to undermine Republican Mike Rogers’s efforts to portray El-Sayed as radical.

The Ohio Governor’s Race

A Vivek Ramaswamy campaign ad used Amy Acton’s estranged mother to dispute Acton’s account of childhood homelessness. Richardson says the ad omitted the circumstances surrounding Acton’s removal from her mother’s home, including her stepfather’s indictment for rape.

The ad drew condemnation from both parties and boosted donations to Acton’s campaign. Richardson argues that it exposed the willingness of Ramaswamy and the ad’s supporters to exploit a child’s trauma for political gain.

Catholic Leaders and the White House

Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob apologized after the White House released photos and video of bishops praying with Trump. Grob said the meeting had been presented as private and that participants had not consented to the images being made public.

He said the bishops had come to discuss immigration enforcement, religious-worker visas, and human dignity, and regretted that the prayer had been used as a political image.

Trump’s Campaign Behavior

Richardson says Trump’s erratic remarks are complicating Republicans’ closing arguments. She highlights his repeated praise of Ohio Senator Jon Husted and a rally remark about Nicki Minaj, which conservative lawyer George Conway mocked as a message centered on what people can do for Trump.

Elections Abroad

The commentary reports that Serbian strongman Aleksandar Vučić conceded defeat after student-led protests and an election that removed his party from power.

In Brazil, it says President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a fourth term against Flávio Bolsonaro, whose father, former president Jair Bolsonaro, is under house arrest. Flávio Bolsonaro said he would not accept the result.

Presenter and Contributors

• Writer and narrator: Heather Cox Richardson
• Production: Soundscape Productions
• Music: Michael Moss