Virginia Supreme Court Rejects Democrat-Backed Gerrymandered Map, Bolsters GOP Hopes Ahead of Midterms

The Virginia Supreme Court delivered a second major setback to Democrats on Friday in the ongoing Total Gerrymandering War, striking down a heavily gerrymandered congressional map that voters had approved in a referendum last month. The court ruled 4–3 that the legislature had cut procedural corners required by the state constitution when placing the measure before voters this year.

Instead of the newly invalidated map—which would have likely given Democrats a 10–1 advantage—the current 6–5 map will remain in place. Analysts suggest this map could plausibly expand to an 8–3 Democratic advantage in a strong blue year.

While the national political environment remains challenging for Republicans, the outcome of this mid-cycle gerrymandering battle has helped the GOP hedge its bets. Regardless of the November midterm results, the House is expected to be roughly ten seats more Republican than it would have been had the fight never occurred.

MAGA Mondays continues today with hosts Sam Stein and Will Sommer discussing Trump’s controversial golden idol statue and other recent headlines from the political landscape. Tune in live at 10 a.m. EDT on Substack and YouTube.

The Golden Donald

By William Kristol

I recall the moment I realized Donald Trump could win the presidency. It was Wednesday, June 22, 2016, during a routine speech in New York City where Trump attacked Hillary Clinton on multiple fronts. Then he delivered a line that would become iconic: “Her campaign slogan is, ‘I’m with her.’ You know what my response to that is? I’m with you, the American people. She thinks it’s all about her. I know it’s all about you.”

I thought to myself, ‘Yikes.’ The contrast between “I’m with her” and “I’m with you” was undeniable—and effective.

A month later, at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Trump revisited the theme: “My opponent asks her supporters to recite a three-word loyalty pledge. It reads: ‘I’m With Her.’ I choose to recite a different pledge. My pledge reads: ‘I’M WITH YOU—THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.’”

Flipping Clinton’s campaign slogan against her proved to be a masterstroke. Where she urged unity behind her, Trump positioned himself as the champion of the people.

Fast forward eight years. What was widely considered Trump’s most effective line against Kamala Harris in the 2024 campaign? “Kamala is for they/them. I am for you.”

It may seem absurd for a figure as self-serving as Trump to claim he is for the people. Yet he succeeded in making that claim stick. His opponents attempted to expose how his policies harmed those he purported to represent, but their efforts failed in the face of his demagoguery. The public felt he was on their side, that he spoke for them.

But demagogues are not infallible. They are driven by vanity, and an effective demagogue must constantly feed that vanity to maintain their connection with the public.