Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said Sunday that Republicans could have an internal debate about the future of the MAGA movement if the party performs poorly in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Bacon made the comments during an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Asked whether a disappointing election could mark the beginning of the end of the movement, Bacon said he believed Republicans would discuss its direction and that he wanted to participate in that discussion.
“I do think there will be a debate in the party, and I think we need it.” — Rep. Don Bacon
Bacon said he supports what he described as the long-standing principles associated with former President Ronald Reagan. He identified those principles as free trade, free markets, economic freedom and opposing Russia and China.
The Nebraska lawmaker said he believed Republicans and Americans wanted those principles. He also said President Donald Trump had moved away from them in many cases and that he wanted to be part of a debate over the party’s direction.
Bacon’s earlier disagreements with Trump
Bacon has previously criticized the president’s messaging on the war in Iran. In early September, he supported an effort by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., to remove Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During an October interview with Tapper, Bacon described Trump’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war as “disgraceful.”
His comments came as Republicans defend their majorities in Congress. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, with control of the House and Senate at stake. Recent polling cited by The Hill showed Republicans trailing Democrats, while a forecast from The Hill’s partner Decision Desk HQ gave Democrats an 83% chance of taking the House and a 62% chance of taking the Senate.
What Bacon said
- Bacon said Republicans could debate the future of the MAGA movement after a poor midterm performance.
- He said he supports free trade, free markets, economic freedom and confronting Russia and China.
- He criticized several aspects of the president’s foreign-policy messaging, including his handling of the wars in Iran and Russia-Ukraine.
Bacon represents Nebraska in the U.S. House. His comments addressed the national Republican Party’s direction as voters prepare to decide the congressional races and other contests on Nov. 3.
