Republicans entered the 2022 midterms with high expectations of major gains fueled by inflation concerns and dissatisfaction with the Biden administration. Donald Trump had endorsed numerous candidates and repeatedly predicted a sweeping victory that would restore Republican control. Actual results showed only modest House gains and a Democratic hold on the Senate, falling well short of the anticipated wave.

The shortfall sparked immediate debate within the party about candidate quality and messaging. Several Trump-backed contenders underperformed in key races, raising questions about the former president's influence heading into 2024. Analysts noted that the predicted red wave never materialized at the scale many had forecasted.

The editorial takes aim at the disconnect between the bold pre-election predictions and the more modest outcome. It underscores how the repeated insistence on a big wave after the fact ignores the actual electoral performance and the consequences for Republican strategy.