Conservative radio host Megyn Kelly was taken aback by journalist Mark Halperin's dire predictions for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections, describing the potential outcome as a "tidal wave now."
Halperin's assessment, shared on Kelly's show, follows his recent first-person piece in the Daily Mail. In that piece, Halperin cited numerous sources from within both "MAGA-ville" and traditional conservative circles who indicated that the outlook for former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party is grim.
Halperin stated on Kelly's show that since his article was published and former Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita publicly disputed his findings, more Republican strategists have contacted him. He reported that many have either confirmed his assessment of a tough situation for the party or suggested the problem is even more significant than his initial reporting indicated.
"There are races that they weren’t thinking would be in play that are now in play," Halperin told Kelly, noting that around half of the 45 sources who have reached out have stated that his reporting "understated the case."
When asked by Kelly for a direct assessment, Halperin projected potential Democratic gains of at least 25 House seats and six Senate seats, adding that this number "could be bigger."
Kelly reacted with alarm, exclaiming, "Oh, good God!" She characterized the projected losses as "awful numbers" and declared, "That’s more than a blue wave. That’s a — we’re tidal wave now," comparing the potential scenario to the devastation of the New Jersey coastline after a major storm.