The Briefing with Jen Psaki Life after Trump: Elections show political adjustments as Trump fades from relevance
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May 6, 2026 
Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. secretary of transportation and ex-mayor of South Bend, offers sharp commentary on Republican politics and redistricting. He discusses how Trump’s shadow reshaped local races and why some Republicans resisted map-rigging. Conversation also touches on the political and fiscal fallout from Trump projects and what politics might look like post-Trump.
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Trump's $12M Punished Indiana Republicans
- Donald Trump poured $12 million into Republican-on-Republican ad fights in Indiana to punish state senators who resisted his map-rigging demands.
- That spending diverted resources from competitive battlegrounds like Ohio and Michigan and exposed internal GOP fractures tied to Trump's influence.
Republicans Planning For Life After Trump
- Many Republicans are planning for political survival beyond Trump's dominance and are resisting short-term demands that would harm voters' representation.
- Pete Buttigieg says officials now see their careers outlasting Trump's grip and are preparing for 'life after Trump'.
Democrats Must Articulate A Post‑Trump Agenda
- Democrats should lay out a constructive governing agenda now so voters know what comes after Trump's era.
- Buttigieg advises emphasizing concrete policies on health care, groceries, paid leave and taxes to build a durable majority.