Politics
Trump Midterm Cartoons
By CM Chaney · July 30, 2026
Thirty editorial cartoons trace Trump's midterm obsession from the 2018 Blue Wave through 2022's Red Ripple to his hands-on 2026 campaign to recapture Congress for Republicans.
Trump and GOP Float Unaware as Midterm Wave Builds
In early 2018, Democrats targeted House and Senate seats in the midterm elections with a coordinated push to flip control from Republicans. Special election results in Pennsylvania and elsewhere signaled growing opposition to the Trump administration agenda. The wave of voter energy threatened GOP majorities and set the stage for November. Cagle Cartoons
Trump Bulldozer Cartoon Depicts Clearance of Election Assistance Commission Ahead of Midterms
The cartoon by Monte Wolverton shows Donald Trump operating a bulldozer labeled Clearing the Way for Midterms. The vehicle crushes a woman and flattens the Election Assistance Commission desk while scattering papers and figures. It responds to ongoing debates over election administration and midterm preparations as of July 2026. Cagle Cartoons
GOP Elephant Drenched After Midterm Shortfall
Republicans entered the 2022 midterms expecting major Senate gains but fell short of a decisive red wave, leaving the chamber narrowly divided. The outcome preserved Democratic leverage in the upper chamber despite Republican House control. Cagle Cartoons
Democratic Fist Squeezes Trump Midterms
Donald Trump with blond hair and open mouth appears squeezed inside a large red fist marked Democrats. Streams of water pour downward from the grip. The figure clutches at the red tie while shouting the words Damn Commies. Yellow lettering spells Midterms below the fist against a blue sky. Cagle Cartoons
Trump mired in blue concrete after midterm results
Democrats captured the House in the 2018 midterms, handing Republicans their first major congressional defeat during the Trump presidency. The result blocked the president's legislative path and invited new oversight. The cartoon portrays Trump as immobilized by that blue-wave outcome. Cagle Cartoons
Democrats Prepare Oversight Tools for Trump White House
Democrats captured the House in the 2018 midterms, shifting control of committees and subpoena power to the opposition party. The cartoon frames the incoming oversight agenda as a direct delivery to the president, underscoring the new majority's intent to examine executive actions. Cagle Cartoons
Split Control After Midterms Leaves Both Parties Claiming Victory
Democrats captured the House while Republicans kept the Senate in the 2018 midterms, creating divided government. The outcome reflected voter backlash against the Trump administration yet preserved Republican leverage in the upper chamber. The cartoon frames the result as a win-win scenario for both parties despite the blue wave. Cagle Cartoons
GOP Questions Red Wave After House Loss
Democrats captured the House majority in the 2018 midterm elections, ending unified Republican control of Congress. The results reflected voter backlash against the Trump administration and produced a divided government. Cagle Cartoons
Trump Eyes After Midterm Shortfall
Republicans fell short of expected gains in the 2022 midterms, with Democrats holding the Senate and limiting House losses. Donald Trump, who had promoted a red wave narrative tied to his influence, faced renewed questions about his hold on the party heading into 2024. The image frames his continued push despite the setback. Cagle Cartoons
GOP Red Wave Hopes Dry Up Ahead Midterms
Republicans entered the 2022 midterm cycle expecting strong gains in Congress driven by inflation and dissatisfaction with the Biden administration. By September polls showed the anticipated red wave weakening. The piece argues that GOP momentum has stalled and the party faces a dry spell in voter support. Cagle Cartoons
Midterm Relief Centers on End of Endless Political Ads
The 2022 midterm elections concluded on November 8 with Democrats retaining Senate control and Republicans taking a narrow House majority, falling short of the widely predicted red wave. Vote counting continued in several states while both parties assessed the results as a referendum on extremism and abortion rights. Cagle Cartoons
GOP Rides Red Wave Toward Midterm Wins
Republicans entered the 2022 midterms expecting major gains in the House and Senate amid inflation concerns and low presidential approval. The cartoon depicts the GOP confidently riding a red wave while Democrats appear overwhelmed. It advances the view that Republicans would secure decisive victories across Congress. Cagle Cartoons
Red Wave Fizzles as GOP Awaits a Tide That Never Arrives
Republicans entered the 2022 midterms expecting large gains in both chambers on the strength of inflation and crime concerns. Instead they secured a narrow House majority while falling short in the Senate. The outcome left party strategists reassessing turnout and messaging. Cagle Cartoons
Biden Thanks Trump for Aiding Democrats in Midterms
Following the November 8, 2022 midterm elections, Democrats retained the Senate and limited House losses far below Republican expectations. Analysts attributed the GOP shortfall in part to Donald Trump's continued influence over candidates and messaging. The cartoon shows President Biden placing a call to thank Trump for the unintended assistance. Cagle Cartoons
McCarthy Left Behind as DeSantis Rides Florida Red Wave
Republicans captured the House in the 2022 midterms by a narrow margin, positioning Kevin McCarthy to seek the speakership amid internal party tensions. Ron DeSantis secured a decisive reelection victory in Florida that boosted his national profile. The piece portrays McCarthy as sidelined while DeSantis capitalizes on the Republican wave. Cagle Cartoons
GOP Anticipated Red Wave Shrinks to Ripple After Midterms
Republicans entered the 2022 midterms expecting large House and Senate gains that would constitute a red wave. Actual results produced only modest advances, leaving the party short of sweeping control. Cagle Cartoons
GOP Red Wave Hopes Crash as Midterm Results Disappoint
Republicans entered the 2022 midterms expecting a decisive red wave that would deliver large House and Senate gains. Instead, Democrats retained the Senate while Republicans secured only a narrow House majority. The outcome left GOP strategists and candidates facing questions about messaging and turnout. Cagle Cartoons
Midterm Results Deliver Only a Pink Wave to Disappointed MAGA Supporters
The 2022 midterm elections produced narrower Republican gains than many predicted, with Democrats holding the Senate and limiting House losses. Analysts had forecast a substantial red wave driven by inflation and border concerns, yet results showed only modest shifts. Cagle Cartoons
Trump Declares Big Wave After Midterms
Republicans fell short of expected gains in the 2022 midterms, with Democrats holding the Senate and limiting House losses. Donald Trump had promoted expectations of a major red wave tied to his endorsed candidates. The piece responds by highlighting his post-election claim of a big wave despite the results. Cagle Cartoons
Democrat Donkey Recruits Flasher for Senate Run
A trench-coated figure flashes on a sidewalk as a donkey in business attire extends a Senate candidacy offer. The July 2026 image from Gary McCoy labels the exchange as the Democrat problem. Scattered bottles and shoes lie at the flasher feet. The donkey speech bubble directly invites the figure to run for U.S. Senate. Cagle Cartoons
Trump Ignores Scandal Details in Platner Senate Dropout Query
On July 10 2026 Rick McKee depicts Donald Trump questioning an aide about Graham Platner dropping out of a Senate race. The aide cites a Nazi tattoo and sexual assault accusation as reasons. Trump responds by asking again why the candidate is leaving the race. Cagle Cartoons
Democrat Offered More Whine After Maine Senate Loss
A political cartoon published July 9, 2026, depicts a slumped Democratic donkey wearing a Graham Platner for Senate bib at a table with spilled wine. A hand offers a bottle labeled Maine 26 as a speech bubble asks More Whine? The image responds to the recent defeat of the Maine Senate candidate in the 2026 election cycle. Cagle Cartoons
Trump CDC Halts Parasite Tracking as Cyclospora Hits Midterms
The Trump administration's CDC ended monitoring for the Cyclospora parasite ahead of a major outbreak. The development raises questions about public health preparedness and potential effects on voter turnout during midterm elections. The piece portrays the lapse as politically advantageous for the administration. Cagle Cartoons
