The Rest Is Politics: US
The Rest Is Politics: US

237. Election Eve: Trump Seizes on Michigan

November 02, 2026 • 35m

Summary

⏱️ 8 min read

Overview

In this pre-election special episode recorded in London, hosts Anthony Scaramucci and Katty Kay analyze the final day before the 2026 midterm elections, focusing on Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens' shocking endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers over Democratic nominee Abdel El-Sayed, and Tucker Carlson's alarming claims about potential nuclear strikes on Iran. The hosts dissect the political implications of these developments while fielding questions about Trump's closing message and predictions for Tuesday's results.

Haley Stevens' Shocking Party Defection

The episode opens with the bombshell news that Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers over her own party's nominee Abdel El-Sayed just one day before the Michigan election. This unprecedented move has shocked political observers, with speculation ranging from influence from her Republican-supporting fiancé to broader ideological conflicts. The hosts debate whether this last-minute endorsement will energize anti-establishment Democrats or give permission to fence-sitting voters, particularly Jewish Americans concerned about El-Sayed's Israel positions, to vote Republican.

  • Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers despite losing to Democrat Abdel El-Sayed in the primary and having Democratic Party support
  • Obama had endorsed Stevens in the primary, making her defection particularly painful for Democrats
  • Chuck Schumer released an unusually animated response condemning Stevens' switch
  • The endorsement could either energize Democrats or give permission to Jewish voters uncomfortable with El-Sayed to vote Republican
" She's a radical left communist. And now she is a courageous hero. "
" This is like if the sports team paid you money to be a part of them. The Democratic Congressional Committee gave her money to win that seat. "
" Democrats fall in love, and what do the Republicans do? They fall in line. "

Democratic Party Fractures and Future Battles

The Michigan situation is framed as a preview of coming battles within the Democratic Party between centrists and progressives. While Democrats have successfully papered over ideological divisions during the campaign, the hosts predict that regardless of Tuesday's outcome, the election will mark the beginning of intense internal party conflicts over Israel, economic policy, and the party's direction heading into 2028. The Stevens defection reveals fault lines that will likely widen in the post-election period.

  • Tuesday's election marks the beginning of the 2028 presidential race rather than an endpoint
  • Democrats have temporarily suppressed internal conflicts between centrists and progressives
  • Israel policy will be a major flashpoint in coming Democratic Party battles
  • The Michigan race reveals ideological tensions that will intensify regardless of outcome
" This election, guys, is only the beginning of a new process. The moment polls close on Tuesday night, it is the start of the 2028 race. "

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