What to Expect in 2026: Politics, Economics, and Culture

My friends, as we stand on the edge of a new year, it’s natural to feel a mix of anticipation and unease. 2026 is shaping up to be one of those years that will matter—not just politically, but culturally and economically as well.

Today on the Toddcast, I wanted to step back from daily headlines and talk candidly about what I believe we should expect in 2026, not based on wishful thinking, but on history, incentives, and human nature.

Let’s start with the economy.

There is good reason to believe that economic conditions will continue to improve into 2026. Inflation has slowed, growth has returned, and we may even see the early stages of a real economic boom.

But here’s the catch: inflation damage doesn’t magically disappear. The money you lost in purchasing power is gone. Growth helps, but it takes time for families to feel genuine relief. Whether voters connect improvement to policy before the midterms remains an open question.

Politically, 2026 will be a fight.

Midterm elections are historically brutal for the party in power, and the House of Representatives is already razor-thin. Republicans could gain seats, hold steady, or lose the House entirely—and none of those outcomes would shock me. The Senate is more favorable terrain, but nothing is guaranteed. Every seat, every district, every primary will matter.

And yes, the media attacks are coming—harder and louder. This isn’t new, and it isn’t unique to Donald Trump, though he certainly receives it in concentrated form. The strategy hasn’t changed: relentless negative coverage designed to wear people down, intimidate fighters, and discourage resistance. Trump is wired differently. He hits back. That reality guarantees escalation, not peace.

Immigration enforcement and voter integrity will quietly shape 2026 more than many people realize. Millions fewer illegal immigrants, cleaner voter rolls, potential mid-decade redistricting, and pending court decisions on race-based congressional districts could fundamentally alter turnout and electoral math.

The Left understands this—which is precisely why these fights are so bitter.

Culturally, we should expect continued division and even infighting on the Right. I wish it weren’t so, but movements under pressure often turn inward. Add to that some self-serving characters and big personalities, and it’s a recipe for continued strife. That’s something we’ll need to navigate carefully if we want to win battles that actually matter.

Internationally, there is cautious optimism that the Russia–Ukraine war could end, but real risk remains in the Middle East. No ceasefire fixes centuries-old hatred, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling fantasy.

The point of today’s show isn’t to alarm you—it is to prepare you.

Liberty is never inherited automatically. It must be defended, explained, and passed on deliberately. 2026 will test whether we’re serious about that responsibility.

Buckle up, my friends. The road ahead matters.

Conservative, not bitter.
Todd

🎧 Listen to today’s Toddcast here.

📈 Economic growth with lingering inflation pain
🗳️ A razor-thin fight for Congress
📰 Intensifying media warfare against conservatives
🚨 Immigration enforcement reshaping elections
🌍 Global conflicts with uncertain outcomes
⚖️ Liberty under cultural and political pressure

Listen here.

My friends, there’s a Supreme Court decision that could dramatically impact the 2026 midterms.

Earlier this fall, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais. The Court is deciding whether race can be the predominant factor in drawing congressional districts.

Under the current interpretation of the Voting Rights Act, race is used to mandate minority-majority districts. In places like Louisiana, that creates reliably blue seats inside red states.

If the Court rules race cannot be the primary factor — and based on oral arguments, that’s very possible — Democrats could face an immediate problem. Analysts say more than a dozen Democrat seats could be in play.

And if these affected states decide to redraw their maps, the 2026 landscape is far from settled. Buckle up, my friends. It’s going to be a turbulent election year. 

These are my expectations for 2026, based on history, human nature, and the realities of a midterm election year. No guarantees — just patterns that repeat when power and politics collide.

What do you think? Do I have this wrong? What am I leaving out? Simply respond to this email to share your thoughts. I read your responses.