Bernie Moreno Warns GOP Will Die Without Working Voters
Sen. Bernie Moreno told Fox News that the Republican Party faces total collapse if it loses its working-class base ahead of the midterms. The Ohio senator made the warning as voters across the nation struggle with rising costs and economic pressure.
Moreno said the party’s future depends on keeping these voters engaged. He pointed to the 2016 election as the turning point that saved the GOP. Without that shift, the party would have faded away completely. According to Fox News, Moreno spoke directly about the stakes for the upcoming election cycle. He told reporters that the working-class voters who backed Trump are the key to victory. If they leave, the party has no future.
Moreno told Fox News Digital that retaining working-class voters is essential for the party’s survival. He argued that the Democrats had already abandoned these Americans long ago. That void allowed President Trump to step in and fill the gap. This shift created the strong base the Republicans rely on today. “Ironically, the Democrats abandoned working Americans, and there was a void — President Trump filled it,” he continued. “That’s why he won.”
ON UCHICAGO CAMPUS: U.S. Senator from Michigan Elissa Slotkin hopes planned political prosecutions of republican leaders will scare young conservatives from getting involved in politics.
@ElissaSlotkin https://t.co/p7NBJpDcQW
— The Chicago Thinker (@ThinkerChicago) October 17, 2026
Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut also acknowledged the issue. He sent out a memo to his party members after their recent losses. The memo urged Democrats to focus on economic issues to win back voters. “No one, including me, has all the answers right now, but what we know for certain is that Democrats must reclaim our identity as the party of the working class,” Murphy wrote.
Despite this admission, polls show voters remain worried about their wallets. A recent Fox News poll found that nearly 60% of voters say the economy is their top concern. This worry cuts across party lines. President Trump’s economic management was disapproved by 67% of non-college White voters, according to reports. Republicans are now trying to explain their record on fuel costs and bills.
While the GOP focuses on the economy, Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan is facing a different storm. RedState reported on her remarks to young conservatives at the University of Chicago. She warned them that working for the Trump administration could have consequences.
.@POTUS: “That’s a hell of a statement. Slotkin said that there should be prosecutions in order to scare people from going into politics. That’s a Democrat and that’s what they do. That’s all they’re good at — and you know what? That’s why they’re getting their asses kicked.” https://t.co/oX6fAubz0P
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 19, 2026
Slotkin later tried to defend herself by claiming the government had been weaponized against her. She said those who broke the law to follow the president should be held accountable. Her explanation only made the situation worse. President Trump responded to her comments with sharp criticism. He called her remarks disgusting and noted how they would hurt the Democrats. He said her plan to scare people away from politics was exactly why they were losing.
Trump criticized Slotkin’s suggestion that prosecutions should be used to deter people from entering politics. He characterized the comments as a typical Democratic tactic. He added that these actions are why Democrats are facing significant political setbacks. The comments have sparked a backlash that may drive more voters to the Republican side. Slotkin’s attempt to warn young people has instead highlighted the divide.
As the midterms approach, the focus remains on who can best serve the working class. The numbers show a party in flux, with both sides trying to find their footing. The choice for voters will be clear.