Former Trump Lawyer Discusses Election Predictions and Party Dynamics

<figure><img alt="U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks to the media before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, U.S., en route to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, August 21, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/UZIL5C2DUBCB3ERVZAPYTJ24WE.JPG?auth=9dfad8f8eaca267d616a7f9049e40ab223d5e92f6a6c95366ef28f5f4ff3c055&amp;smart=true&amp;width=6000&amp;height=3375" /><figcaption>Evan Vucci/REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>Ty Cobb, a former lawyer in Donald Trump’s White House, stated that he believes the president intends to manipulate the upcoming midterm elections. Cobb made these comments during a television appearance discussing a midterm convention ordered by Trump to be held in Dallas, Texas.</p><p>The Republican National Committee is hosting the event, which has a suggested attendance fee of $25,000 for Republican candidates. Several Republican lawmakers have indicated they will not attend.</p><img alt="Cobb on MS NOW. / MS NOW" height="360" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/SLZWJE55JZD2XEZ7FA2OHD7RRI.jpg?auth=93ae3c6a198a494760c1893b6bebb8eef3134d030b8583e402dc584a7244bd99&amp;smart=true&amp;width=640&amp;height=360" width="640" /><p>During the episode of <i>The Beat</i> on MS NOW, host Ari Melber questioned Cobb about the absence of many Republicans from the event. Cobb suggested that these Republicans are being strategic in distancing themselves from Trump, whose approval ratings are low, and are focusing on their own records instead.</p><p>Cobb also mentioned Trump’s campaign war chest, which he noted amounts to $400 million, and criticized the president for not allocating these funds to support midterm candidates. He speculated that Trump may prefer to reserve the funds for personal interests, suggesting that Trump might intend to interfere with the elections instead.</p><p>Additionally, Cobb raised concerns about the potential actions of House Speaker Mike Johnson, who he suggested could refuse to swear in Democratic candidates if they win their elections.</p><p>These comments coincided with the Trump administration's request to the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a lower court order that blocks its plan to restrict mail-in ballots, which includes measures that would require states to use a uniform envelope style.</p><video id="EX9H5gKR" poster="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EX9H5gKR/poster.jpg"><source src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EX9H5gKR.mp4" type="video/mp4" /></video><p>In a separate appearance on CNN, Cobb expressed his discontent with changes to the White House under Trump, including the demolition of the East Wing for a ballroom. He referenced Chief Justice John Roberts’ dissent regarding the White House's architectural significance and expressed his feelings about the changes, comparing the Executive Mansion to a “warehouse.”</p><p>Cobb stated, “It’s turning into, you know, some combination of a warehouse and Las Vegas at this stage of the game with all the gold and paving of it. So, it’s tragic what’s going on. But sadly, it’s going to continue, at least for the time being.”</p>