The countdown to the midterms is on, and Trump’s campaign is descending into chaos. He’s cancelling rallies in crucial states, berating reporters over their looks and praising Nicki Minaj’s bum. Texas is surprisingly close, while Democrats have resorted to some seriously dirty tricks in Alaska.

With Republican fortunes looking grim, could Democrats take both the House and Senate? And if they do, will they go after Trump himself — or set their sights on Pete Hegseth?

Meanwhile, what damage has the campaign done to the presidential ambitions of JD Vance and Marco Rubio? Clue: not much good.

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times

Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Picture: Getty Images

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