Trump muses on midterms: ‘When you think of it, we shouldn’t even have an election’

Every time the president talks about not having elections, his authoritarian vision comes into sharper focus.

Thursday, January 15, 2026 TODAY'S TOP MADDOWBLOG POSTS Trump muses on midterms: 'When you think of it, we shouldn't even have an election' Trump muses on midterms: 'When you think of it, we shouldn't even have an election' Every time the president talks about not having elections, his authoritarian vision comes into sharper focus. MORE RFK Jr. is stumped about developments in his own department (again) Either the health secretary avoided a subject he didn't want to talk about or he's still ignorant about what's happening at the agency he ostensibly leads. MORE RFK Jr. is stumped about developments in his own department (again) Either the health secretary avoided a subject he didn't want to talk about or he's still ignorant about what's happening at the agency he ostensibly leads. MORE Polls show broad public opposition to Trump's interventionist global agenda When it comes to the president's foreign ambitions, most Americans just aren't buying what he's selling. MORE Polls show broad public opposition to Trump's interventionist global agenda When it comes to the president's foreign ambitions, most Americans just aren't buying what he's selling. MORE DHS' Noem faces new articles of impeachment backed by dozens of House Democrats The effort to hold the Homeland Security secretary to account probably won't pass, but that doesn't make it irrelevant. MORE DHS' Noem faces new articles of impeachment backed by dozens of House Democrats The effort to hold the Homeland Security secretary to account probably won't pass, but that doesn't make it irrelevant. MORE MORE FROM THE MADDOWBLOG Democrats' Slotkin joins a growing target list for Trump's weaponized administration The 'manufacturing renaissance' exists only in Trump's imagination GOP's Hawley, Young send an unsubtle signal to Trump: Bullying works AG Bondi's months-old decision set the stage for an FBI raid on reporter's home WHAT'S ON RACHEL'S BLUESKY RADAR? August 20, 1939 Cartoonist Clifford Berryman "It's a good act but it's hard on the spectators..." (Rachel) "President Trump had a ringing message of solidarity on Tuesday for demonstrators in the streets. "KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!" he wrote on social media. He decried "the senseless killing of protesters," and added that those pulling the triggers "will pay a big price." He meant the protesters in Tehran, not Minneapolis. By contrast, the people in the streets of Minnesota, he wrote just 63 minutes earlier, were "anarchists and professional agitators" trying to cover up a fraud scandal. He vowed that "THE DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING!" The eruption of protests on opposite sides of the planet at this moment in history has brought Mr. Trump's views of democracy and popular dissent into stark relief. The situations in Iran and Minnesota, of course, are different and complicated, but the president's rule of thumb seems simple enough: Those who take to the streets supporting a cause he favors are laudable heroes. Those who take to the streets to oppose him are illegitimate radicals." Trump Supports the Protesters, Except Those Protesting Him (New York Times) Follow Rachel Maddow on Bluesky here. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up to follow it yourself or send this sign-up link to someone you know would appreciate it. NEWS TIPS? SEND IT TO RACHEL FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK RACHEL MADDOW ON BLUESKY  229 West 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER