Trump Admits GOP Plans to Rig Midterms as Redistricting Battles Escalate

On May 11, The Daily Blast podcast, produced by The New Republic and presented by the DSR Network, host Greg Sargent discussed the implications of a Virginia Supreme Court decision that overturned a redistricting plan granting Democrats four additional House seats.

During the episode, Sargent and guest Ari Berman, a voting rights reporter for Mother Jones, analyzed how the ruling—and other recent gerrymandering moves—could reshape the midterm elections. Their conversation took a sharp turn when Sargent highlighted a tweet from Donald Trump celebrating the Virginia decision.

Trump’s Remarks Expose GOP Election-Rigging Strategy

Trump’s tweet read:

“Huge win for the Republican Party and America in Virginia. The Virginia Supreme Court has just struck down the Democrats’ horrible gerrymander. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”

Sargent argued that Trump’s reaction inadvertently revealed the GOP’s willingness to manipulate electoral processes to secure an advantage. “In so doing, however, he accidentally revealed that he and Republicans expressly reserve the right to play by their own rules and rig elections in their favor unilaterally,” Sargent stated.

Redistricting Wars: How the GOP Gains an Edge

Berman broke down the current redistricting landscape, estimating that Republicans could net five additional House seats from recent and upcoming gerrymandering efforts. He noted:

• Virginia’s Supreme Court ruling cost Democrats four seats, though they may still win one or two in future elections.
• The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decisions have further tilted the playing field in the GOP’s favor.
• Florida’s new gerrymander will make it harder for Democrats to compete, though not insurmountably.
• Southern states like Tennessee are redrawing districts that have favored Republicans for decades, forcing the party to defend new territory.

“In a wave election, it’s definitely going to give them less margin for error,” Berman said. “They are going to lose one or two seats in Virginia. The map is going to be more difficult for them in Florida because of the new gerrymander—not insurmountable, but more difficult.”

Can Democrats Counter the GOP’s Advantage?

Sargent questioned whether Democrats could overcome the structural disadvantages created by Republican-led redistricting. “What are friends of democracy supposed to do in a world where one party is openly rigging the game and the other isn’t?” he asked. “Where are these gerrymandering wars really headed?”

Berman emphasized that while the GOP’s gains are significant, they are not insurmountable—especially in a high-turnout election. However, he warned that the party’s aggressive gerrymandering strategy could make it harder for Democrats to regain control of the House.