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"It [2026 Midterms]'s going to be dominated by what party is making you safe and prosperous. It's not going to be dominated by subsidies [Trump's presidential actions]. It's going to be dominated by the big stuff."

“A chunk of [GOP voters] who put them in power in 2024 are Trump-specific voters; they will vote GOP down ballot when Trump is running but won’t turn out to vote for a typical congressman in a midterm when Trump isn’t running.”

"As we have seen, the president’s party almost always loses ground in the midterm election following his victory... [but] if Republicans are to have a serious chance of retaining control of the House, President Trump will have to improve his job approval significantly."

"If legal immigrants begin to be deported without having committed any crime [by Trump admin], get ready for Republicans to lose the [2026] midterms by a landslide."

“The President will help his Republican friends on Capitol Hill get reelected [in 2026 Midterms], and work to pick up new seats across the country.”

"President Trump is the main event for the party [2026 midterms]."

"Republicans have reason to worry that the president’s political decline will affect their performance in next year [2026]’s midterm elections."

“All these people that he [Trump] helps — he doesn’t help everybody — but for those he does, he’s a difference maker, and he’s certainly a turnout machine.”

"Whether congressional GOPers can turn things around for the ‘26 midterms is more dependent on Trump than ever."

“All of the kinds of things [Trump's] doing now will result in him losing—certainly losing the House of Representatives."

"What’s crazy is that the 2026 midterms are entirely in Trump’s control."

"The success or failure of the Grand Old Party (GOP) next year [2026 US Midterms] will be decided on the strength or weakness of President Trump’s coattails."

Will Donald Trump be a Primary Voting Factor in the 2026 U.S. Midterms?

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dana White, President and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), on Thursday, to use the sport for diplomatic purposes.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dana White, President and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), on Thursday, to use the sport for diplomatic purposes.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rubio framed the agreement as an extension of American cultural influence and soft power, describing the sport as a rare unifying force and noting the interest it attracts from visiting foreign dignitaries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rubio framed the agreement as an extension of American cultural influence and soft power, describing the sport as a rare unifying force and noting the interest it attracts from visiting foreign dignitaries.

According to the State Department, the MOU between itself and the fighting competition "will mark a new public-private partnership to enhance sports diplomacy initiatives and collaborate on the global growth of mixed martial arts."

Donald Trump

According to the State Department, the MOU between itself and the fighting competition "will mark a new public-private partnership to enhance sports diplomacy initiatives and collaborate on the global growth of mixed martial arts."

Despite this, it is currently unclear exactly what is included in the agreement, with the administration set to release further details. The MOU may mirror a similar public-private partnership between the National Football League and the State Department signed in January.

Despite this, it is currently unclear exactly what is included in the agreement, with the administration set to release further details. The MOU may mirror a similar public-private partnership between the National Football League and the State Department signed in January.

The development comes as the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/trump-announces-ufc-fight-at-white-house-for-americas-th">White House prepares to host UFC Freedom 250</a> — part of the administration's wider America250 celebrations — on the South Lawn on Sunday, featuring seven bouts across five weight classes, including two interim title fights.

Trump White House

The development comes as the White House prepares to host UFC Freedom 250 — part of the administration's wider America250 celebrations — on the South Lawn on Sunday, featuring seven bouts across five weight classes, including two interim title fights.

Two Virginia residents, however, have filed a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2026/lawsuit-seeks-to-block-ufc-fight-at-white-house">lawsuit seeking to block the event</a>, arguing that it is a private, for-profit promotion that does not qualify for an exemption from the National Park Service's (NPS) permitting regime, which prevents any special events on the South Lawn.

Two Virginia residents, however, have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the event, arguing that it is a private, for-profit promotion that does not qualify for an exemption from the National Park Service's (NPS) permitting regime, which prevents any special events on the South Lawn.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dana White, President and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), on Thursday, to use the sport for diplomatic purposes.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dana White, President and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), on Thursday, to use the sport for diplomatic purposes.

A press release from the department describes the UFC as "the world's leading mixed martial arts organization," which it claims contributes to the U.S.' "broader cultural and sports influence through professional competition, athlete development and international event production."

A press release from the department describes the UFC as "the world's leading mixed martial arts organization," which it claims contributes to the U.S.' "broader cultural and sports influence through professional competition, athlete development and international event production."

Currently, it is unclear what is included in the agreement, with the State Department set to release further details about the MOU after the signing ceremony at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at its Washington headquarters.

Currently, it is unclear what is included in the agreement, with the State Department set to release further details about the MOU after the signing ceremony at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at its Washington headquarters.

The UFC is a symbol of American soft power, not only leading the world in professional fighting but also garnering large global audiences. This reservoir of cultural and sports influence makes the UFC a natural partner for the Trump administration in its diplomatic efforts. A collaboration between the two will, therefore, enhance the U.S.' reputation and the sport's reach.

The UFC is a symbol of American soft power, not only leading the world in professional fighting but also garnering large global audiences. This reservoir of cultural and sports influence makes the UFC a natural partner for the Trump administration in its diplomatic efforts. A collaboration between the two will, therefore, enhance the U.S.' reputation and the sport's reach.

The Trump administration's fascination and promotion of brutal bloodsport is beyond damaging to America's global reputation. Nowhere can this malign effect be seen more than UFC Freedom 250, a crass event that will reduce the White House to little more than a gladiatorial arena on the international stage, and fundamentally violates the NPS' own rules and regulations.

The Trump administration's fascination and promotion of brutal bloodsport is beyond damaging to America's global reputation. Nowhere can this malign effect be seen more than UFC Freedom 250, a crass event that will reduce the White House to little more than a gladiatorial arena on the international stage, and fundamentally violates the NPS' own rules and regulations.

There is a 75% chance that a UFC mixed martial arts event will occur at the White House in 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 75% chance that a UFC mixed martial arts event will occur at the White House in 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Marco Rubio and UFC's Dana White Sign MOU

Marco Rubio and UFC's Dana White to Sign MOU

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Marco Rubio and UFC's Dana White Sign MOU

Marco Rubio and UFC's Dana White to Sign MOU

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