President Donald Trump expressed confidence in Republican prospects for the crucial November 3 midterms while speaking with reporters at the White House on Friday. He made the comments before leaving for a rally in Florida.

Trump also explained exactly what he intends to do if Democrats capture enough seats to create gridlock in Washington. His backup plan is blunt: veto legislation Democrats send to his desk and force them to negotiate.

“I think the Republicans are going to win, but if there was, as you call it gridlock, what happens is I veto everything and then the Democrats come and they want to make a deal. So, we'll work it out.”

Trump presented the veto power as a tool that could bring Democrats to the bargaining table, even if Republicans lose control of one or both chambers of Congress.

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“I mean, if you look historically, when you have a situation where that would happen, if it happens, you veto, veto, veto, and then they come and they say, how do we get it done and you make a deal.”

.@POTUS: "I think the Republicans are going to win — but if there was gridlock, what happens is I veto everything and then the Democrats come and want to make a deal." https://t.co/OhqWmWxDey

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 23, 2026

Even if Democrats win the House, the Senate, or both, they would be extremely unlikely to secure the two thirds majority required in each chamber to override a presidential veto. That would leave Trump with considerable leverage over legislation reaching the White House.

Republicans are not sitting quietly and hoping for the best. Trump has been conducting a virtual nonstop rally blitz in support of GOP candidates as the November 3 elections approach.

On Saturday, Trump and the first lady went to the Palm Beach County Library in West Palm Beach to cast their votes in person. The president also took several questions from reporters during the appearance.

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One reporter admitted she could not keep pace with Trump’s schedule and asked whether he was beginning to feel the effects. Trump responded that he remained all systems go, although speaking so frequently could take a toll on his voice.

“It's a strain on your voice. It's not normal. In fact, I heard a couple of the outlets say nobody else has ever done it.”

Trump said the heavy schedule was not about seeking votes for himself. Instead, he described his efforts as campaigning for other candidates, including some he does not personally know.

“I'm not campaigning for myself, I'm campaigning for other people, some of whom I don't know.”

A reporter covering President Trump admitted she's EXHAUSTED going to just ONE rally a week, while Trump is doing them EVERY day, sometimes TWICE a day

TRUMP: "It's a strain on your voice. It's not normal. In fact, I heard a couple of the outlets say nobody else has ever done it." "I'm not campaigning for myself, I'm campaigning for other people, some of whom I don't know." At 80 years old. No days missed. There's nobody like him. — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 24, 2026

Trump is 80 years old, has missed no days, and is holding rallies every day, sometimes twice in one day. His schedule has apparently left at least one member of the press exhausted after covering only one rally per week.

Meanwhile, Democrats are portrayed as preparing more investigations and witch hunts against people serving in the administration if they win power. Trump suggested he could respond to that possibility as well, with pardons remaining firmly on the table.

When pressed about a possible pardon plan, Trump pointed to the Biden administration and argued that it would be unfair for members of his staff to spend years facing investigations and mounting legal expenses. His stated concern was focused on protecting innocent people from financial ruin.

“I certainly don't want to see innocent people go through hell and lose all their money,” Trump says.

Trump says he hasn't considered pardoning junior administration officials to protect them from future congressional investigations, but makes clear he believes he has the authority to do so.

Pressed by a reporter about a potential pardon plan, Trump points to the Biden administration and argues it would be unfair for his staff to face years of investigations and mounting legal bills. "I certainly don't want to see innocent people go through hell and lose all their money," Trump says. — Fox News (@FoxNews) October 24, 2026

Tthere is a straightforward way for Republicans to avoid a future filled with vetoes, pardons, investigations, and congressional gridlock: win the midterms. It urges voters to cast their ballots and encourage everyone they know to do the same.

An editor’s note says the 2026 midterms will determine the fate of Trump’s America First agenda. It also states that Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress as the nation approaches what the publication describes as a crossroads.

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