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President Donald Trump raises his thumb on July 31 (local time) as he walks to board the presidential aircraft Air Force One after disembarking from the presidential helicopter Marine One at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Maryland, U.S. / Courtesy of Reuters Yonhap

U.S. President Donald Trump is unlikely to care much even if the Republican Party loses its majority status in either the House or the Senate during the midterm elections held in November this year, according to observations from local media.

In an article titled "Trump's Last Move Begins" on August 2 (local time), U.S. online media outlet Axios reported, citing his close aides, that while President Trump would want the Republican Party to win, he is showing an indifferent attitude toward the possibility of Democrats investigating his family, assets, and policies depending on the election outcome.

Analysis suggests this stems from President Trump's confidence that he will exert equal or even stronger influence during the remainder of his term, backed by the support of MAGA (Make America Great Again), the Republican core base.

Most Republican figures who criticized President Trump are expected to lose their seats or retire from politics in this election, with newly incoming lawmakers set to be filled with staunchly pro-Trump figures.

For instance, Representatives Thomas Massie (Kentucky) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (Georgia), who publicly criticized him within the Republican Party, are expected to step down and be replaced by lawmakers elected with President Trump's endorsement.

The key point is that regardless of the election results, President Trump will secure a more solidified pro-Trump Republican Congress.

Enjoying the role of a so-called kingmaker in the 2028 presidential election, he is expected to further test the limits of executive power using administrative authority—his preferred method over legislation.

According to close aides, President Trump will use his pardon power to protect his allies.

Axios assessed that President Trump is not the type of politician to nurture a successor or support next-generation leaders, but rather someone who exercises his influence to the fullest extent.

In the 2028 presidential election, President Trump is expected to influence everything from candidate nominations to campaign messaging based on the Republican core base.

He reportedly favors a combination of Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and unless his mind changes, that outcome appears highly probable.

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun-min