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President Trump is exercising unprecedented primary influence heading into 2026. He’s endorsed 95 percent of House GOP members and nearly two-thirds of Senate candidates, more primary picks than any president in history.
His approach is straightforward: back the candidates who can actually win. Kentucky Senate candidate Nate Morris had Trump’s attention, but Trump backed Andy Barr instead because Barr has the better path to general election victory. In Colorado, he encouraged Hope Scheppelman to step aside so Jeff Hurd could move forward as the stronger nominee. These moves eliminate wasteful primary battles that damage the eventual nominee and drain party resources.
The result is a Republican Party focused on one thing: winning seats and holding Congress. Trump’s endorsement carries real weight in GOP primaries. He’s proven he knows which candidates can win in tough districts and which ones will struggle in the general. That’s valuable intelligence, and it’s streamlining the primary process.
For campaigns, this is the reality of 2026. Trump’s endorsement and network matter significantly. His strategic eye for electability is reshaping how the party approaches these races. Republicans who understand and align with this momentum have a real advantage. It’s a new dynamic, and it’s reshaping Republican strategy.
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Trump's ruthless midterm power play The president hasn't been shy about picking his people, even if it causes hurt feelings.

Social media is now the primary way people get their news.
A majority of Americans are turning to platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X over traditional TV or news sites.
That changes everything for political campaigns.
Voters are forming opinions inside their feeds, shaped by short clips, personalities, and algorithm-driven content instead of traditional outlets.
This creates a real opportunity.
Campaigns that understand how to operate in that environment can shape narratives earlier, reach voters directly, and build trust without relying on legacy media.
This isn’t just a shift in media. It’s a shift in power.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93lzyxkklpo

Social media now main source of news in US, research suggests A report also finds right-leaning audiences on X have almost doubled in the UK since Elon Musk's takeover.

Most Americans now get their news from social media and video platforms 54% in recent studies, outpacing traditional TV. Trump’s direct-to-voter mastery during his term paved the way. Dems are flooding these channels; Link:

Social media overtakes TV as main source of news in US, analysis finds Global study shows 54% of Americans receive news from social media, while the UK has highest proportion of news avoiders at 46%

Pew’s latest data (Aug 2025) shows social media remains a major news source: 53% of U.S. adults get news from social platforms at least sometimes—stable but consistently high.
Platform breakdown for regular news consumers:
• Facebook: 38%
• YouTube: 35%
• Instagram & TikTok: 20% each
• X: 12%
• Reddit: 9%
• Others (Threads, Truth Social, Bluesky, Rumble): 2–3%
Among users of each platform, news consumption is especially strong on X (57% of users), Truth Social (55%), and TikTok (55%, up sharply since 2020).
Demographic notes:
• Younger adults dominate TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and X for news.
• Women lead on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok; men on YouTube, X, Reddit.
• Party differences: Democrats higher on Instagram, TikTok, Reddit; roughly even on YouTube.
Social isn’t optional it’s where voters are informed daily.

Social Media and News Fact Sheet | Pew Research Center Many Americans use social media for news: About a fifth or more regularly get news on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

AI is already changing how campaigns reach voters and that is not something to fear. As this article outlines, tools like AI assisted social media content and automated email outreach are helping campaigns communicate more efficiently, personalize messages at scale, and compete without massive budgets. https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/opinion-dont-panic-over-political-campaigns-using-ai-it-could-be-a-good-thing

OPINION: Don't panic over political campaigns using AI. It could be a good thing - The Nevada Independent OPINION: Don’t panic over political campaigns using AI. It could be a good thing. Read more from The Nevada Independent.

AI is already changing how campaigns reach voters and that is not something to fear. As this article outlines, tools like AI assisted social media content and automated email outreach are helping campaigns communicate more efficiently, personalize messages at scale, and compete without massive budgets. When used responsibly, AI strengthens outreach rather than replacing human judgment and can help campaigns connect with voters in clearer, more effective ways.
https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/opinion-dont-panic-over-political-campaigns-using-ai-it-could-be-a-good-thing

OPINION: Don't panic over political campaigns using AI. It could be a good thing - The Nevada Independent OPINION: Don’t panic over political campaigns using AI. It could be a good thing. Read more from The Nevada Independent.

While a few of Trump’s cabinet picks have already been confirmed, Senate hearings for other positions are starting to pick up. Here’s the schedule for this week (EST):

Wednesday, 1/29 10am - RFK Jr., Health and Human Services, will appear before the Finance Committee

Wednesday, 1/29 2:30pm- Kelly Loeffler, Small Business Administration, will appear before the Small Business Committee

Thursday, 1/30 9:30am- Kash Patel, FBI, will appear before the Judiciary Committee

Thursday, 1/30 10am, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, will appear before the Intelligence Committee

Thursday, 1/30 10am, RFK Jr., Health and Human Services, will appear before the Health Committee

You can watch Senate hearings live here: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/floor_activity_pail.htm

Donald Trump signed several executive orders while attending his inauguration parade on Monday. He began signing executive orders and presidential actions onstage at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., as thousands of supporters cheered, melding the theatrics of his campaign rallies with the formal powers of the presidency. He froze the issuing of new regulations, asserted his control over the federal workforce and withdrew from the Paris climate agreement.

All the executive orders Donald Trump signed during his inauguration parade Donald Trump signed several executive orders while attending his inauguration parade on Monday. Here's a list of them.