Just as the Republican Party is trying to distance itself from Donald Trump after a disappointing showing in the midterm elections, the twice-impeached, insurrection-inciting, soon-to-be-indicted former president is reminding the nation he is still the leader of the party.

As I write this, the U.S. House and Senate are still up for grabs as votes are being counted in the midterm elections. The one thing we do know for certain right now is that there was no Republican “red wave” that so many pundits and pollsters had predicted.

Republicans are once again tripping over themselves trying to explain away the fact that their extremist rhetoric has radicalized people and led to violence. Whether it’s the loopy conspiracy theories of the MAGA right or the more tame “jokes” of moderate Republicans, they all seem to have difficulty grasping the facts.

According to some polls and pundits, it’s definitely not looking too good right now for the Democrats in the midterm elections. Republican candidates are leaning into inflation, gas prices and crime in an attempt to undermine the electorate’s confidence in Democratic candidates.