President Donald Trump has made headlines with his recent claim that Republicans are "entitled to five more seats" in Texas, following the unveiling of a new proposed congressional map in the state. This is one of Trump's initial public remarks on the redistricting efforts that have sparked significant political upheaval.

The controversy began when the Texas Republicans introduced a redrawn congressional map. Analysts suggest that this new map could potentially secure up to five additional seats for the GOP, a strategic move that might influence the 2026 midterm elections. This development has provoked a fierce response from Democratic-led states, particularly California, which has signaled intentions to similarly adjust their congressional maps.

In a statement on CNBC's Squawk Box, Trump underscored his previous electoral success in Texas and expressed confidence in the state's leadership under Governor Greg Abbott. "We have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats. We have a really good governor, and we have good people in Texas. And I won Texas," Trump remarked.

The push to redraw the Texas map has not been without controversy. The Department of Justice has raised concerns about the legality of the prior map, suggesting that the motivations behind the redraw are predominantly political rather than based on fairness or population changes.

In a dramatic turn of events, numerous Democratic state lawmakers fled Texas in an effort to deny the legislature the quorum needed to pass the new map. This move mirrors a similar strategy used by Democrats last year to block legislative proceedings. Governor Abbott has responded by threatening to expel the absentee Democrats if they do not return for the special legislative session.

Trump criticized the Democratic lawmakers who left the state, particularly those who fled to Illinois, labeling the move as "terrible."

The stakes are high as both parties brace for the potential ramifications of the new map, which could significantly alter the political landscape in Texas and beyond. As this battle over redistricting continues, the nation watches closely, aware that the outcomes here could presage shifts in the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.

*Andrew Howard contributed to this report.*