President Trump says 10 more hostages will soon be released from Gaza and predicts a stronger GOP majority in 2026.

Trump Announces Imminent Release of Additional Hostages

During a celebratory dinner at the White House, President Donald Trump told GOP allies and several Republican lawmakers that 10 more hostages held in Gaza would be released "very shortly." The dinner, attended by leading members of Congress, centered on the administration’s achievements and the party’s legislative progress in recent months.

Trump turned to Middle East affairs as he praised the administration’s foreign policy, stating, "Gaza – we got most of the hostages back. We're going to have another ten coming very shortly. And we hope to have that finished pretty quickly." He highlighted that the U.S. has already secured the return of five American hostages captured by Hamas, three of whom survived. Two Americans are believed to remain in captivity, along with numerous non-American hostages.

Praise for GOP Legislative Achievements

Much of Trump’s address was dedicated to commending Congressional Republicans for passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He emphasized the scale of the achievement, remarking, "I don't think anybody's ever come close to passing such sweeping legislation with such a small majority." Trump credited Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson, and several committee chairs for their leadership and tenacity during a marathon legislative session.

Trump underscored the Senate’s productivity, stating, "You stayed in session for a marathon ten consecutive weeks, the longest in 15 years. You held over 400 votes, more than any Senate in 35 years. And they were successful votes." The passage of the major bill was described as "the biggest victory of them all."

He also lauded Republican progress on issues including immigration reform, border security, foreign diplomacy, deregulation, and spending cuts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff received specific recognition for their contributions to U.S. foreign policy. The passage of the GOP recission package was also celebrated, with Trump hinting at further budget cuts ahead.

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Elections

Turning to political prospects, Trump predicted a stronger GOP majority in both the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, defying conventional wisdom that suggests the president’s party typically loses ground. "Based on our success, we should do great," he told the gathering, expressing confidence in continued Republican momentum.

Trump concluded by reflecting on the pace of his administration’s progress. "We achieved more in six months than almost any administration could accomplish in eight years," he said. He signaled ongoing determination, adding, "Over the next year and a half, we'll have an incredible record to share with the American people. As long as we continue to keep our promises to the voters, Americans will continue to stand by our side."