GOP Aides Joke About Israeli Asylum After Losses

A New York Times report describes a private call in which Trump aides joked about leaving the country following the midterm election defeats.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a silhouetted Capitol dome above a pale horizon with a single red flag, evoking political unease. — Senior Republican strategists joked privately about fleeing to Israel after Democrats won control of the U.S. House and Senate in the midterms, the New York Times reported. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The New York Times reported that Tony Fabrizio, Trump's top pollster, joked during a private video call six days before the midterm vote that asylum in Israel might be an option after the election. The Republican Party lost up and down the ballot as Democrats took control of the U.S. House and Senate.

Why it matters

The report offers a rare look at how senior Republican strategists privately discussed the midterm outcome before voting. It adds to scrutiny of the party's internal mood as Democrats gain control of both chambers of Congress.

The aides' comments were made during a private call six days before the vote, with Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu coming nine days before Israel's October 27 election. The report does not detail how the remarks were verified beyond the Times' account of the call.

The players

Tony Fabrizio

Fabrizio is Donald Trump's top pollster and a longtime Republican political strategist.

James Blair

Blair is a Republican strategist who has worked on Trump-aligned political campaigns.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu is the Israeli prime minister whose Likud party emerged as the largest in the October 27 Knesset election.

The details

According to the report, James Blair allegedly sarcastically referred to Israel's Knesset election held a day earlier, saying 'At least Bibi won. He'll protect us.' Likud emerged as the largest party in that election, though Netanyahu lost his governing majority.

October 27, 2026: Israel's Knesset election is held, with Trump having endorsed Netanyahu nine days earlier.
Six days before the midterm vote: The private video call among top Trump aides and strategists takes place.
November 3, 2026: The U.S. midterm elections are held, and Democrats take control of the House and Senate.

Political Context

Democrats' 2026 takeover of both chambers echoes the 2018 midterms, when Democrats won the House under a Republican president and the party in power typically loses seats. The report's private remarks add a new dimension to how Republican strategists reacted to that pattern.

The shift in congressional control will determine which party sets the legislative agenda and controls committee investigations starting in the next session. Voters and observers can track how the new majorities approach key votes in the coming months.

The takeaway

The report highlights how partisan defeats can produce unexpected private reactions among political operatives. Readers should weigh such remarks against the official statements and results that follow an election.