Podcast Summary: The Chris Cuomo Project

Episode: How Trump Might Rig the Midterms

Host: Chris Cuomo
Date: February 10, 2026

Overview

In this incisive solo episode, Chris Cuomo explores a growing concern: whether former President Trump has a concrete plan to "rig" the 2026 midterm elections. Prompted by Trump’s public comments about “nationalizing the elections” and recent government actions in Georgia, Cuomo breaks down the constitutional realities, historical precedent, and economic drivers that may motivate such strategies. With his signature combative yet analytical style, Cuomo challenges both loyalists and critics to think critically about the threats facing democratic processes and the persistent dysfunction of American politics.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Comments and Georgia’s Ballots

• Trump’s Stance: Recounts Trump’s willingness to manipulate election processes and his continuing refusal to accept the outcome of the 2020 election.
  • Cuomo: “There is no question that the President has a hard on for the 2020 election.” [03:35]
• Georgia as a Battleground:
  • The recent seizure of Georgia ballots—already counted and audited—under federal direction, with Trump signaling knowledge of what would be found.
  • Raises suspicions about the motives, particularly when framed as "nationalizing the elections."
• Quote:
  • “How does he already know what we’re going to see in the ballots from Georgia, from Fulton County? This is why I say there’s a plan.” [02:40]

2. Refuting the Election Rigging Narrative

• Who Can Rig Elections?
  • Dismisses the idea that Democrats could have manipulated 2020 results in states run by Republicans, then failed to do so when in power in 2024:
  • “How do the Democrats figure out how to rig the 2020 election when they were out of power, but they couldn’t rig it in 2024 when they were in power?... That just doesn’t make sense.” [04:15]
• Trump’s Motivation:
  • Emphasizes that Trump’s primary driver is personal vindication and a refusal to acknowledge loss—leading to legally questionable actions.

3. The Binary Party System and Rise of Independents

• Voter Sentiment:
  • Notes historic highs in independent affiliation (45%) according to Gallup.
  • “All independents are not the same... But it’s a great sign for getting away from this binary system.” [07:30]
• Political Hypocrisy:
  • Acknowledges the tendency for each “side” to excuse their own behavior while vilifying the other, worsening partisan divides.

4. Constitutional and Legal Realities

• State vs. Federal Election Powers:
  • Breaks down Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution: States control the “time, place, and manner” (TPM) of elections, but Congress has overriding authority—though rarely exercised.
• On ‘Nationalizing’ vs. ‘Federalizing’:
  • Suggests Trump confused the two terms and may have been poorly briefed:
  • “He got something confused. He meant to say federalize.” [13:55]
• Limits of Presidential Power:
  • The president cannot unilaterally take over elections; executive branch has no constitutional role. To do so would require congressional action—possibly eliminating the filibuster, which is historically resisted.

5. Plausible GOP Midterm Strategy

• Potential Path to Manipulation:
  • Seizing Georgia ballots as pretense to pass laws at the federal level—restricting voting, mandating measures like single-day voting, paper ballots, and voter ID.
  • These restrictions, Cuomo argues, are consistently aligned with efforts to lower turnout, especially among likely Democratic voters.
  • “There is no coincidence that every reform that Republicans want would make less people vote.” [28:25]
• On the Filibuster:
  • Explores the idea that blowing up the filibuster is generally avoided—not out of principle, but self-preservation—evidence that partisan division may be partly manufactured.

6. The Real Motivation: Economic Anxiety

• Trump’s Economic Weakness:
  • Points to economic dissatisfaction as Trump’s Achilles’ heel, especially the “K-shaped” economy—where the investor class thrives but ordinary workers suffer.
  • “The reason to mess with the midterms is he is nervous because of the numbers on the economy.” [41:40]
• Healthcare and Wages:
  • Healthcare and credit are major affordability crises; wage stagnation vs. soaring productivity since the 1980s widened inequality.
• Historical Trends:
  • Notes how corporate America’s focus on stock price (not just business fundamentals) transformed the economy, leaving workers behind.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Motivation:
  • “This is not a man of principle. This is a man of personal advantage, right? And of pragmatism at best, okay? Not principle. There is nothing bigger to him than himself and his self interest, okay?” [38:55]
• On Voting Restrictions:
  • “You tell me where I’m wrong, I’ll bet you a T-shirt. Because that would make you a critical thinker.” [28:35]
• On Wage Stagnation:
  • “...that was capitalism, right? 50s, 60s, 70s capitalism. What changed? Choice. What was the choice? Entering into the 80s, they decided to make the stock market a casino.” [53:10]
• On Partisan Divides:
  • “We are so binary. We are so divided, especially on the right. I’m sorry. I’m not sorry at all. 00 sorry. MAGA is uniquely forgiving of this man and this president.” [06:05]

Key Timestamps

• [02:40] – Initial discussion of Georgia ballots and suspicions about federal intervention.
• [07:30] – Surge in independent voter identification and implications for the two-party system.
• [12:30] – Constitutional basis for state and federal powers over elections.
• [28:25] – Discussion of how proposed voting reforms align with lower turnout.
• [41:40] – Economic challenges as motivation for manipulating midterms.
• [53:10] – Critical analysis of wage stagnation, productivity, and capitalism’s shift in the 1980s.
• [01:05:00] – Closing summary: “That is the whole working understanding of my perception of the plan of this Trump machine to manipulate the midterms.”

Conclusion and Host’s Call to Action

Cuomo concludes that the warning signs add up: Trump’s continued focus on Georgia, calls for election reforms at the federal level, and the potential for congressional maneuvering all lead to the plausible (if not certain) risk of midterm manipulation under the guise of “nationalizing” elections. Ultimately, Cuomo sees these efforts as driven by both personal grievance and fear of economic backlash.

He ends with a challenge to listeners—be “critical thinkers,” resist partisanship, and remain vigilant about anti-democratic trends. Encourages audience engagement, merchandise purchases in support of good causes, and continued conversation.

Listen if you want:

• A forthright, detailed breakdown of the mechanics behind election law and potential subversion
• Insight into the economic motives underlying political maneuvering
• Unvarnished, independent commentary on the failures of both party politics and media narratives

Miss it if you’re looking for:

• Neutral or dispassionate coverage
• Guest debate; this episode is chiefly Cuomo’s own analysis

End summary.