NY Post Editorial: "The Midterms ARE About Trump" — Here's Why That's Exactly the Point

A viral graphic showing President Donald Trump with a raised fist carries a simple, direct message from the New York Post editorial board: "The midterms ARE about Trump — and what he offers for America's future." The framing has sparked debate, but the Post's argument is blunt: midterms have always been a referendum on the sitting president — and this one is no different.

The image features Trump at a podium, fist raised in his signature gesture of defiance, with the text of the editorial headline overlaid in red and white. The message is unapologetic. The New York Post, a conservative tabloid with significant influence in right-leaning media circles, is making the case that Trump's centrality to the 2026 midterms is not a liability — it's the entire point.

The Post's Argument

According to the editorial, the "opining" about Trump making the midterms all about himself misses the fundamental reality of American politics: midterms are always about the incumbent president. The Post argues that voters historically use midterm elections to express approval or disapproval of the president's performance, and 2026 will be no exception.

The editorial's logic is straightforward: Trump is not inserting himself into the midterms artificially. He is the central figure of American politics by virtue of his office, and the election will inevitably serve as a referendum on his agenda.

The $5,000 "Dividend" and the MAGA Momentum Bet

The Post's editorial comes as Trump is betting big on a specific strategy: using the power of his presidency to drive Republican turnout.

At the 2026 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Trump promised a $5,000 "dividend" check to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans win control of both the House and Senate in November . The proposal, announced just weeks before the midterms, is designed to energize voters amid widespread economic pessimism.

However, economists have warned that such a payment could fuel inflation, which already stands at 3.4% . "It simply makes no economic sense," said Brian Bethune, an economics professor at Boston College, noting that adding spending to a supply-constrained economy would worsen the problem .

The White House has pushed back on the criticism, with spokesman Davis Ingle telling CNBC that Trump "has consistently proven his doubters wrong" .

A Familiar Playbook

Trump's strategy of making the midterms about himself is not new. He has consistently framed elections as personal mandates, and his rally speeches frequently focus on his own record rather than down-ballot candidates. As the Post editorial suggests, this is a feature, not a bug.

The graphic's message captures the essence of that approach: the midterms are about Trump, and voters will decide whether they want more of what he offers — or a check on his power.