By Salma El-Sakka
Nigel Farage’s political fortunes, long tied to Donald Trump’s success, have suffered a sharp decline following the US midterm elections that saw Republicans suffer catastrophic losses, according to analysis published Thursday.
US Midterm Results Trigger Decline
The November 2026 midterms delivered a sweeping Democratic victory, with the party winning majorities in both the House and Senate, including in traditional Republican strongholds such as Kansas and Texas. The results marked a dramatic reversal for Trump, who now faces potential impeachment hearings and ongoing legal proceedings that have diminished his influence.
Reform UK Polling Collapse
In the UK, a YouGov poll this week showed Reform UK’s support falling from the mid-30s a year ago to barely 20 percent, returning the political landscape to a two-party contest between the Conservatives and Labour. Farage’s party now sits in the “also-rans” column.
Farage's Misjudgment
Farage appeared on his GB News show on Tuesday insisting he did not share the consensus that Trump would be “smashed,” a comment that highlighted his misreading of the political mood. His reluctance to acknowledge Trump’s looming defeat reflects a desperate attachment to a populist wave that peaked with Brexit and Trump’s 2016 election.
Trump's Legal Troubles
With Democrats controlling Congress, Trump faces two years of legal battles and impeachment hearings, stripping away the power that once made Farage a valuable transatlantic intermediary. The former US president had previously suggested Farage for roles such as British ambassador to Washington.
Populism on the Ebb
The simultaneous decline of both figures suggests the populist movement that dominated Western politics since 2016 is receding. Farage’s hardline immigration message is finding a smaller audience, while his party’s scandals and policy gaps have left him exposed domestically.
Potential for Comeback
Analysts note that both Trump and Farage have staged comebacks before, and a new populist leader could emerge if mainstream parties falter. For now, however, fears of a “Trumpified” UK under a Farage-led government have eased.
