President Donald Trump just dropped a political bombshell, endorsing two heavyweights for the 2026 Senate races. On Thursday, he threw his weight behind Michael Whatley in North Carolina and Mike Rogers in Michigan, as Just the News reports. These moves signal a bold Republican push to dominate the Senate.
Trump’s endorsements aim to bolster Republican chances in competitive 2026 midterm Senate races. He’s backing Michael Whatley, former RNC Chairman, for a North Carolina seat and Mike Rogers, a former Michigan GOP congressman, for a Michigan seat. This is about expanding the GOP’s Senate grip, not just holding ground.
Whatley, not yet officially a candidate, is expected to jump into the North Carolina race soon. Trump’s nod could light a fire under his campaign before it even starts. Meanwhile, Rogers kicked off his Michigan bid earlier in 2025, eyeing the seat of outgoing Democrat Gary Peters.
Trump’s choice of Whatley is no accident; he’s a proven winner. “Unbelievable Senator from North Carolina,” Trump called him, praising his RNC tenure in which Republicans swept every swing state. That kind of track record makes progressives nervous—and they should be.
Whatley’s leadership during devastating North Carolina storms also caught Trump’s eye. He energized relief efforts, showing he’s not just a suit but a doer. Contrast that with the left’s obsession with performative policies over real results.
In Michigan, Rogers is already in the ring, fighting for a seat in a state the GOP sees as winnable. The Michigan race is shaping up to be a 2026 slugfest. Rogers, with Trump’s backing, is poised to exploit Democrat failures that have left families struggling.
Trump dubbed Rogers an “American First Patriot,” a label that sticks. From his Army days to Congress, Rogers has a resume that screams service over self. The left’s endless regulations and tax hikes could use a dose of his no-nonsense approach.
Rogers himself isn’t shy about the stakes. “Michigan’s left-wing leaders have failed families,” he said, slamming 32 years of policies that tanked the state. His promise? A revival that puts Michigan’s working class first, not woke elites.
Trump laid out Rogers’ priorities like a battle plan: grow the economy, slash taxes, and unleash American energy. “Mike will work tirelessly,” Trump posted on Truth Social, touting cheap energy and a secure border. That’s a direct jab at progressive pipe dreams such as the Green New Deal.
Trump’s pitch for Whatley is a call to action. “I have a mission for my friends in North Carolina,” he urged, pushing Whatley to run. The former RNC boss’s knack for winning elections makes him a threat to the left’s Senate hopes.
Whatley’s RNC stint saw Republicans crush it, winning the popular vote and the Electoral College. Trump is not wrong to call him “fantastic at everything.” The left’s diversity quotas and identity politics can’t match that kind of competence.
North Carolina’s Senate race could hinge on Whatley’s ability to rally voters. Trump’s endorsement gives him a head start, but the real test is translating RNC success to the campaign trail. Expect the left to throw everything at stopping him.
Rogers sees Michigan as ripe for a comeback. “Together, President Trump [and] I will unleash a great revival,” he vowed, promising stronger schools and less crime. That’s a direct challenge to the left’s soft-on-crime, anti-police rhetoric.
The Michigan race is a microcosm of the broader GOP strategy: reclaim states where progressive policies have flopped. Rogers’ focus on manufacturing and family values hits hard against Democrats’ obsession with divisive social agendas. It’s a playbook that could turn the Senate even redder.
Trump’s endorsements are a shot across the bow for 2026. With Whatley and Rogers, Republicans are betting on proven fighters to expand their Senate edge. The left’s woke experiments may have just met their match.
