Ben Shapiro described the 2026 midterm results as a “wipeout for Republicans” during an appearance on the All-In podcast Tuesday night, arguing that the election had also become a verdict on the president. His comments came before several major races had been called.
Shapiro said the president had indicated before the election that it would be a referendum on him, and suggested the early results reflected that. “This is not an evening to remember,” he said.
He argued that the outcome could not be explained solely by individual candidates. Shapiro pointed to Republican losses in Texas and South Carolina, while also noting that Florida remained Republican but by a narrow margin. Democrat Angie Nixon lost Florida’s Senate race to Republican Ashley Moody.
In Texas, James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton to become the state’s first Democratic senator in 38 years, while Gina Hinojosa defeated Greg Abbott to become its first Democratic governor in 36 years. In South Carolina, Annie Andrews became the first Democrat elected to the Senate there in more than 20 years and the state’s first woman senator.
Shapiro said the results across the map could bode poorly for Republicans in 2028, adding that he saw no way to soften his assessment of the party’s midterm performance.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter.