Alex Triantafilou 🇺🇸🐘🇺🇸

(tree-aun-ta-FEE-loo) Husband, Father, Conservative. Ohio GOP Chairman and Attorney.

[Alex Triantafilou 🇺🇸🐘🇺🇸 @ChairmanAlex]

Be sure to follow the @ohiogop here, on our website https://t.co/ScoUSQH0Er, and on Facebook at https://t.co/RGwMk1HZvy. 🇺🇸🐘🇺🇸

[Frank LaRose @FrankLaRose]

Happy Veterans Day! 🇺🇸

Did you know? Through our I Vote in Honor of a Veteran initiative, you can honor a veteran or servicemember while inspiring others to vote on Election Day.

Lean more: https://t.co/yorNps0aQq

[Alex Triantafilou 🇺🇸🐘🇺🇸 @ChairmanAlex]

After a tough national election, there are some bright spots for the @ohiogop as we see our very own @berniemoreno ascend to leadership, @Jim_Jordan take over the House, and our own @VP @JDVance very well-positioned for 2028. Time to get back to work.

[Alex Triantafilou 🇺🇸🐘🇺🇸 @ChairmanAlex]

Always good to read @VDHanson…

[Victor Davis Hanson @VDHanson]

The Midterm is Not the Endterm

It is too soon to calibrate the direction of the post midterm Democratic and Republican Parties.

But if the first 72 hours are any indication—and despite the soon to be Speaker’s denials—the Left is already bragging about subpoenas, and it is intoxicated by the notion of investigations and impeachments.

Heady Democrats have entirely forgotten the politically suicidal fashion of the 2021-4 five civil and criminal courtroom circuses, the Mar-a-Lago raid, and the blue state deballoting efforts.

All that and more fueled the Trump recovery.

Wild talk of multi-trillion-dollar new agendas grows, like socializing the health care system, a renewed Green New Deal, student loan forgiveness, and illegal alien amnesties, along with new punitive income and estate regulations and taxes.

This socialist dream is reminiscent of the 2021 giddy splurging that gave the country a 9.1% inflation rate by midterm year 2022.

Along with the Afghanistan disaster (the Left’s correction for a Middle East ‘forever war”) the inflation would ensure Biden a 40% popularity.

The idea that the Left, which cannot do much real lawmaking without a veto-proof Congress, will try to reach deals with the White House, adopt a 1995 Clinton-like realist agenda, simply claim credit for the growing Trump economy, or moderate its rhetoric is highly unlikely.

Instead, we hear crazy talk of confiscations, new billionaire and millionaire punitive taxes, imprisonments, changing the Constitution—all in full suicidal 1972 McGovern style.

Republicans are blame-gaming each other, which can be constructive if over issues and reforms rather than social media ad hominem. But they need to message far better, about both the administration’s successes and the dangers of a socialist future.

There will be likely be no planned presidential succession, or gentlemanly agreement on a front runner. That’s likely good news. More likely as of now a triangular race between front-runners De Santis, Rubio, and Vance emerges—all of whom are far preferable to any ticket with a Newsom, Harris, AOC, Mamdani, or el-Sayed.

If the Republicans can stay reasonably united, they can ensure permanent presidential vetoes of crazy leftwing legislation, fight back on the Democratic committee inquisitions, and see the economy in the final two years become an asset in recovering their popularity.

Absent in all conversations is that there is increasing evidence that the economy is actually expanding and has the potential to boom in 2027, or at least the data indicate such potential.

The jobs report came out yesterday with a stunning 165,000 jobs created in October (accompanied by the usual journalists’ adverb “unexpectantly”), dropping unemployment to 4.1%.

Revised 3rd GDP stats now show a robust 3.4% growth—likely ensuring at least 3%+ growth for the year.

Third Quarter consumer spending soared 3.8%.

Private domestic investment surged with 19.4% growth.

Just reported last week: median family income in 2025 hit a new record ($87,460)—the highest in 60 years adjusted for inflation. And poverty dipped to its lowest rate (ever 10.2%).

In October manufacturing activity grew faster than at any time in the past five years.

Yes, prices are too high, and final 2026 inflation, given gas hikes, is scheduled to increase by one point (3.7%) from last year’s (2.7%). But it is still lower than the pan-European average (ca. 4+%)—and much lower than the Biden average over four years of 5.1%.

Gas prices are already falling. On November 6 prices fell to a $4.06 average—as global oil transit is mostly back to prewar levels and refineries scramble to handle the increased deliveries.

U.S. companies are dominating all the top 10 rankings in market capitalization/usage in key area such as software, AI, digital media, space, satellite launches, and bio/genetic engineering.

Note that today gas prices are not that much higher than 4 years ago at the 2022 midterm time ($4.06 vs. ca. $3.80), and haven’t once spiked to $5 a gallon as they did in 2022, just four months before the Biden midterms.

Yet oddly, the red wave sputtered in 2022 when the U.S. was in far worse economic shape than this week when the blue wave became a tsunami.

Messaging, media, and communication count, so note:

Four years ago GDP growth was lower than today—even though the pandemic was about over and there was a dramatic return to work and spending.

The inflation rate was almost three times higher in 2022 than now.

Median family income was $14,000 lower than now. The poverty rate was higher in 2022.

The Dow was 20,000 points lower. Foreign investment will likely end the year 30-40% higher than in 2022.

Real wage growth (nominal wages minus inflation) while not great in 2026 is likely to end the year far better than in 2022 (when real wage growth fell 2-3%).

So why would “affordability” have been decisive in the 2026 midterms when it was not in 2022?

The 21% aggregate inflation rate Trump inherited force-multiplied the average 3.15% Trump inflation rate of 2025-6— yet in a way the aggregate first-term Trump inflation rate (7.7% just a third of the Biden total) did not exaggerate all that much the 9.1% inflation rate in 2022.

Messaging, however, matters. The administration did not explain adequately that a 21% rise in prices cannot be lowered without radical deflation or recession, but only ameliorated by medium family income growth and lowering the inflation rate from the Biden 2021-5 averages, both of which occurred in 2025-6, but were forgotten.

Media coverage of the Biden 2022 weak economy were muted, while Trump’s 2-year inflation rate was exaggerated during 2026.

The Iran war became the culprit as a war of choice that made the inherited Biden 21% high prices and the inability to lower were them solely Trump’s fault. Again, there was inadequate explanation of either the economic reality or why the gamble to denuclearize Iran was defensible–with the caveat that stopping the bombing at day 38 and talking with theocrats for seven months was an unfortunate mistake.

The domestic and foreign policy activism of the lame-duck Clinton (1998-2000} and Obama (2014-2016) presidencies increased after their loss of Congress. Indeed, their popularity climbed from a once nadir of below forty to sixty percent approval or above.

There is no reason why the Trump administration cannot have a successful last two years. The economy is growing.

The crime rate is at historic lows.

The border is closed shut. The radical pro-Western political transformation of South and Central America has remade the entire Western Hemisphere.

European NATO is rearming.

Oil and gas production is at highest levels of any nation in history.

The bloated federal work force has been trimmed by over 270,000 jobs.

There is no longer a 40,000-50,000 shortfall in military recruitment. The forced reforms in higher education were long overdue.

The verdict on Iran is still out.

If it is denuclearized, the crippling sanctions continued, the Strait kept open, the provincial opposition armed—and our military gone home— the regime will face an increasingly restive population

2026 was an unequivocal defeat, but 2028 need not be.

If the administration and Congress stay disciplined and united, and can message better, while the Left goes utterly berserk, drunk on their midterm successes, socialism/Islamism, and Trump Derangement Syndrome 2.0, the tide will soon radically turn— as the economy already has.

[Benny Johnson @bennyjohnson]

Jim Jordan was elected under Bush in 2006, became a fierce opponent of former Speaker Boehner and the establishment then helped found the Freedom Caucus in response.

In 2018, he challenged Kevin McCarthy for Leader, but lost. Ran for Speaker in 2023 but failed to secure enough votes.

Now, after nearly two decades in Congress, Jordan has finally been elected Leader, defeating Steve Scalise by 33 votes. He is now positioned to become the next Speaker if Republicans take back the House.

This represents a change from the old guard to the new guard. Extremely promising sign.

Get ready.

[Rep. Bob Latta @boblatta]

Congratulations to my friend and fellow Ohioan, @Jim_Jordan, on securing the win to become the next Leader of the House Republican Conference. It’s great to have a tested member of the Ohio delegation at the helm, and I’m confident your proven experience and leadership skills will benefit you tremendously in this new role. 

I also want to extend my congratulations to @GOPMajorityWhip Tom Emmer, @RepLisaMcClain, and the rest of the @HouseGOP Leadership Team on their elections. This team undeniably has what it takes to lead House Republicans into the 120th Congress.

After last week, our conference must remember what we stand for and be united in pushing forward on our priorities: lower taxes, less government, and more freedom for the American people. Our work is cut out for us, and we must stay focused.

[Caleb Stidham @CalebAStidham]

It was an incredible honor to be sworn in today on the House floor as state representative of the 89th Ohio House District.

Thank you to the residents of Erie, Huron, and Ottawa Counties for the tremendous privilege of serving you in the Ohio House of Representatives.

[Byron Donalds @ByronDonalds]

Congratulations to @Jim_Jordan on securing the votes to become House Minority Leader.

Our party has a lot of work ahead. Jim is a tenacious worker and committed conservative who will provide strong leadership at this crucial moment.

[Charles R Downs @TheCharlesDowns]

Congratulations to Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) on taking over as NRSC Chair. This guy has what it takes to win the U.S. Senate back in 2028.

Also, Ohio now largely controls the GOP Congress with Moreno and Jordan’s victories.

Great day for Ohio!

[Alex Triantafilou 🇺🇸🐘🇺🇸 @ChairmanAlex]

This was a silly stunt designed only to embarrass the President and the Secretary. There would NEVER have been the votes in the Senate to remove him, and everyone knows it. These sham political impeachments are a total waste of time.

[NBC News @NBCNews]

BREAKING: House Republicans kill effort to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. https://t.co/C2bLI1nnBF

[Benny Johnson @bennyjohnson]

President Trump calls for the Senate to confirm his 161 pending nominations while they still have the majority.

Exactly. Also codify executive orders and get Voter ID passed.

Get it done.

[Harri Leigh @Harri_Leigh]

Big day for Ohio GOP lawmakers taking leadership positions:

· @Jim_Jordan elected House Minority Leader
· @berniemoreno elected Chairman of the @NRSC

[Alex Triantafilou 🇺🇸🐘🇺🇸 @ChairmanAlex]

As always, a clear-eyed view from a true conservative warrior. Thank you for representing my family Congressman. 🙏

[Warren Davidson 🇺🇸 @WarrenDavidson]

Don’t Scapegoat Pete Hegseth

Washington has a familiar ritual after a bad election: find someone to blame whose name wasn’t on the ballot. This month that name is Pete Hegseth. Secretary Hegseth has been highly effective and President Trump should keep him leading the Department of War.

I haven’t agreed with every decision this administration has made. The Constitution gives Congress the power to take the nation to war. It's not unprecedented for a President to wage war without Congressional authorization, but it is unconstitutional. I said so when our forces went into Iran without a declaration or an authorization, and I still believe it.

Nevertheless, the Secretary of War doesn’t decide whether America goes to war; he executes the mission. Making Secretary Hegseth the fall guy for a duty Congress shirked and President Trump made is wrong.

Judge Mr. Hegseth on the job he was given. He has restored the military’s sense of purpose. Under the previous administration, the Pentagon called climate change an existential threat and poured energy into diversity bureaucracies and ideological training. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs told Congress he wanted to understand “white rage.” As a West Point graduate, I found it insulting and counterproductive. It told our warriors their own Department saw them through the lens of grievance. It took their service for granted, ignored their mission, and compromised readiness.

Mr. Hegseth swiftly pivoted the Department back to readiness, standards and the warrior ethos. Lethality is the mission, merit is the measure, and the military exists to deter wars and win the ones it must fight. Recruiting, which collapsed in 2022 and 2023, has roared back. Every active-duty branch met its goal for fiscal 2026, most of them months early, and the Army Reserve hit its target for the first time in a decade. Young Americans want to join a military that knows its purpose and is focused on excellence.

Speaking of readiness, this team is tackling the Pentagon’s broken procurement culture. They are replacing the siloed program offices that have run major weapons programs for decades with portfolio executives who own outcomes and have the authority to move money and people to get them. They are tying rewards to delivering on time and on budget and warning big contractors that those who can’t deliver will lose work to those who can. Washington has promised acquisition reform for 30 years. This Secretary is doing it. Congress must align the budget with these reforms, not to fire the reformer.

Has he made mistakes? Yes. The plan to livestream Nidal Hasan’s execution was one. Hasan murdered 13 people at Fort Hood, and he deserves the sentence a military court imposed, but a plan to broadcast Hassan’s death shocked the country. President Trump rightly called it off, and the Secretary accepted the decision. That is how the chain of command is supposed to work.

Firing Mr. Hegseth would reward the people who resist reform most. A successor would face a bruising confirmation fight, and the Department would drift through months of weakened acting leadership. Every program office that dragged its feet would learn that it can outlast a reformer. Our adversaries would draw the same lesson.

Pete Hegseth has been highly effective and should remain President Trump's Secretary of War. No on impeachment.

[Acyn @Acyn]

Moreno: I represent the great state of Ohio. And to my colleague, who won re-election, make sure you rent. Do not buy.

[Dave Joyce @RepDaveJoyce]

Congratulations to fellow Ohioan @Jim_Jordan on being elected Leader, and to @GOPMajorityWhip and @RepLisaMcClain on their elections to House Republican leadership.

I have full confidence in this leadership team, and I look forward to working together to deliver results for the American people.

[Jessie Balmert @jbalmert]

New Ohio Senate leadership for 137th General Assembly:
Senate President Bill Reineke
Pro Tem George Lang
Majority Floor Leader Theresa Gavarone
Majority Whips Tom Patton and Susan Manchester

[Congressman Troy Balderson @RepBalderson]

Today, House Republicans selected Jim Jordan to serve as the next Republican Leader.

Jim is a dedicated public servant and proud Ohioan who is committed to protecting our freedoms and keeping America on the path to prosperity.

He knows our nation’s best days are yet to come and is the leader we need to stand firm on common-sense conservative principles that will keep our country strong and secure.

Jim’s motto is “do what you say you’re going to do.” I look forward to doing exactly that and delivering results for Ohio and the American people.

[Andrew Tobias @AndrewJTobias]

Inbox: Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio has been elected chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee ahead of the 2028 election.

[Frank LaRose @FrankLaRose]

Senator @berniemoreno will make an EXCELLENT @NRSC Chairman! Ohio (again) leads the way! 💪

[Warren Davidson 🇺🇸 @WarrenDavidson]

Finally! 🇺🇸