Despite not being on the ballot, former President Donald Trump was the biggest loser of the midterm elections. Trump-backed candidates lost races all across the country, while Republicans who were attacked by the former president saw great victories. The result was that, with the exception of substantial gains in Florida and New York, the GOP performed poorly, barely clinching the House majority and failing to take control of the Senate.

The lesson the GOP ought to learn from these disappointing results is this: If Trump wants to help Republicans, he needs to keep his mouth shut and step down from the 2024 presidential race.