blicans are divided over Trump’s impact on the lackluster midterms, as Congress control hangs in balance FIRST ON FOX The split opinion of the former President Trump’s impact on the disappointing 2022 midterm elections is a sign that control over Congress is still in question. It has not been predicted yet. Since months, the red wave predicted for Tuesday’s midterm elections would see Republicans win the House with wide margins and possibly capture the Senate. Two days after the election, Republicans are still expected to control the lower chamber, albeit with a smaller margin than anticipated. If Nevada and Georgia turn red, they could also control the upper chamber. HIDDEN SAYS HE WILL MAKE 2024 REELECTION DECISION EARLY NEXT ANNE Trump’s endorsements and appearances supporting the candidates he supported undoubtedly had an impact on the midterm elections. However, Republicans differ on how Trump impacted the midterm elections. Jeff Van Drew, a New Jersey Representative, was once a Democrat, before switching to the GOP. He told Fox News Digital that he believes the former President had a positive effect on the midterm elections. “Trump helped candidates in many districts across the country. Van Drew stated that the overwhelming majority of his endorsements were won. “Republicans are taking majority, which was our goal to get America back on track,” Van Drew said. He continued, “Two decades ago, when Trump was in office,” he said. “We were #1 in everything from energy to education, so I would love for Trump to return to office so that we can return to the America of our past.” Another House GOP lawmaker, however, stated that Trump’s influence was evident and that Americans want to “get away” from the drama and get back to business and address the country’s “real problems.” An anonymous GOP congressman predicted that Trump would face “other worthy candidates” to win the Republican nomination in 2024. The Republican lawmaker stated that Trump played a role in the outcome of the midterm election. He said, “As for 2024 there will be other worthy candidate who will put forward their names who may approach conservative movement differently.” HTML3_ FREEDOM CAUCUS REP. ANDY HUGGS SAYS “NOT SO FAST” TO MCCARTHY SPEAKERSHIP, AFTER DISAPPOINTING THE ELECTION RESULTS The congressman said that Trump’s tenure, regardless of whether it was deserved, had been marked by controversy and drama. “I believe it is the sentiment of a large amount of Americans, Republican and Democrat to get away from the drama to get back to the business and its real needs: fighting inflation, combating crime and taking control of the southern borders.” Staffers from Republican parties also commented on Trump’s impact on the midterms. A Georgia GOP campaign staffer said that Trump should quit and let Florida Governor Ron DeSantis “lead a red wave”. The staffer stated that Trump should give up his red hat in order to make America great and let DeSantis lead the red waves Trump failed to. Fox News Digital was told by a senior House GOP staffer that the “truly instructive truth in contrast to how 45’s candidate performed was how [Republican Georgia Governor Brian] Kemp performed in contrast to how DeSantis and him.” “These two governors took some heat from President Obama, but what really matters in the end is the fact that they led with freedom agenda and provided constructive vision that actually worked to the people they served,” a senior House GOP staffer stated. The staffer said that Trump was successful when his vision was about making America great once again, and not him as a 2024 candidate. “At the end, this business must be about delivering results for the American people who want people fighting for them.” The majority of former president’s endorsed candidates are currently in their races. Trump said, “There is a false news narrative that I was furious about — it is the opposite,” Fox News Digital reported. He was responding to reports suggesting that he was not happy with the election results for his endorsed candidate candidates. “The people that I endorsed did very well. I was batting 98.6% during the primaries and 216 to 19. In the general election, that is incredible. He said, “All these guys who are winning are my people.” Trump praised the wins of Sen. Chuck Grassley (Iowa), Sen. Marco Rubio (Florida), Eric Schmitt, Eric Schmitt, JD Vance, Ted Budd, Ron Johnson, and others. In the belief that they would be easier to defeat, Democrats helped to elevate several Trump-backed candidates through their primary elections. Overall, however, Republicans performed less than expected, provoking intra-party criticism. As a result, control of Congress is not yet projected. Although many key races are still to be decided by the Republicans, they are expected to retain control of the House. The Senate is another matter, with three races still in play to determine control of the upper chamber: Arizona and Georgia. The Georgia Senate contest will be a difficult one. Officially, the election moved into a runoff because neither candidate received 50 percent of the vote. The 45th president has been hinting for months that he would be running for the White House again. It is expected that he will do so next week. However, it is possible that the belief that most Republicans will abandon the path in the wake Trump’s expected announcement might not be as viable. Trump’s impact on midterm elections may also be a motivator for prominent Republicans who are against running, given the announcement by the former president to change their plans. Biden’s name has been mentioned since then as a possible GOP nominee to retake the White House in 2024. This is especially after the Florida elections, which have been a bright spot in an otherwise bleak midterm cycle. If DeSantis decides not to run for the White House despite his former political pedagogue’s candidacy it is reasonable to expect that other GOP candidates will follow his lead and bring a strong primary election ahead 2024. Despite the fact that most Republicans may be moving to the sidelines in the wake Trump’s expected announcements, there will likely still be GOP challengers to Trump in the primary. In the meantime, President Biden stated that he will decide whether to run for re-election in early next year. Brooke Singman, Fox News Digital, contributed reporting.