Donald Trump celebrated a major victory in Texas after the state House approved new congressional maps that could strengthen Republican prospects in 2026. The president claimed the redistricting could pave the way for the GOP to gain up to 100 seats in Congress, calling it a “big win” for the party.
Texas Redistricting
The Texas House passed the redrawn maps on Wednesday, a move critics described as a partisan gerrymander. The legislation, which faced weeks of protests from Democrats, sparked a broader national debate over redistricting practices.
Trump marked the bill’s passage on Truth Social, sharing his vision for Republican gains nationwide. “Big WIN for the Great State of Texas!!! Everything Passed, on our way to FIVE more Congressional seats and saving your Rights, your Freedoms, and your Country, itself. Texas never lets us down,” he wrote.
He further outlined states he believes may follow Texas’ example, adding: “Florida, Indiana, and others are looking to do the same thing. More seats equals less Crime, a great Economy, and a STRONG SECOND AMENDMENT. It means Happiness and Peace.”
Trump also reiterated his push to “STOP MAIL-IN VOTING, a total fraud that has no bounds,” and to implement paper ballots. “If we do these TWO things, we will pick up 100 more seats, and the CROOKED game of politics is over. God Bless America!!!”
Trump on Texas passing the redistricting measure:
“God Bless America!” pic.twitter.com/16eUFTfSK5
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) August 21, 2025
Texas Redistricting Could Give GOP Five More Winnable Seats
The newly drawn maps are projected to give Republicans five additional winnable seats. They are expected to pass the GOP-controlled state Senate and receive the signature of Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who praised the measure by dubbing it the “One Big Beautiful Map.”
“Congrats to the Texas House on passing the One Big Beautiful Map,” Abbott wrote. “It will make Texas, and Congress, a brighter shade of Red.”
Democrats Protest Texas Redistricting
Democrats staged a dramatic effort to derail the plan by leaving the state. In early August, 57 lawmakers traveled to Illinois and New York to prevent a quorum and stop the GOP from advancing the map.
During the redistricting battle, Democrats reported being treated like fugitives, facing threats of arrest if they did not return to the House for votes. State troopers were assigned to monitor lawmakers around the clock—even following them while dropping off their children at school—to ensure attendance.
Rep. Nicole Collier of Fort Worth became one of the most defiant Democrats. She refused to sign paperwork authorizing DPS monitoring and remained inside the chamber for over 30 hours, even sleeping on the floor, to protest the legislation.
Obama on Texas Redistricting
The Texas battle over redistricting has reverberated nationally. Former President Barack Obama voiced support for California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s bid to redraw the state map, framing it as a countermeasure to the GOP’s Texas strategy.
“I think that approach is a smart, measured approach,” Obama said during a fundraiser for the Democratic Party’s main redistricting arm, signaling growing Democratic resistance to similar Republican efforts across the country.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
