President Donald Trump delivered a blunt message to Republicans on Tuesday. Win the 2026 midterms or brace for impeachment.

Speaking to GOP lawmakers at a retreat in Washington, Trump made clear he sees Democratic retaliation as inevitable if Republicans lose control of Congress. “You gotta win the midterms ’cause, if we don’t win the midterms, it’s just gonna be. I mean, they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” Trump said. “I’ll get impeached.”

The warning came as Republicans cling to a narrow House majority and face historical headwinds that typically plague sitting presidents during midterm elections. Trump urged lawmakers to stop squabbling and aggressively sell Republican policies on gender issues, healthcare, and election integrity to voters frustrated by rising prices and cost of living pressures.

“They say that when you win the presidency, you lose the midterm,” Trump said. “I wish you could explain to me what the hell’s going on with the mind of the public.”

Fresh off the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, Trump has faced calls to pivot back to domestic concerns like inflation. He brushed off responsibility for rising prices, blaming Democrats and urging Republicans to campaign on strong stock market performance instead.

Trump spoke at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which was recently renamed to include his name after board changes made during his presidency.

The stakes are real. Trump was impeached twice during his first term and acquitted both times. Some Democrats have already introduced new impeachment articles in his second term.

Trump predicted Republicans would defy history and deliver what he called an “epic midterm victory.” The subtext was unmistakable. Control Congress, or Democrats will use it as a weapon.