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Democrats have taken a commanding 98-seat lead over Republicans in the US House of Representatives and secured a majority in the Senate, according to partial results from the midterm elections, in a major setback for President Donald Trump and his administration.
With 376 of the 435 House seats declared, Democrats have won 237 seats against 139 for Republicans, while results for 59 seats remain pending. In the 100-member Senate, Democrats have secured 54 seats and Republicans 44, with two seats yet to be decided.
The results suggest voters have delivered a strong message against the Trump administration, amid widespread concerns over the rising cost of living, inflation and the war with Iran.
The elections also saw Democrats make significant gains in traditionally Republican strongholds, including Kansas and Texas. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms was elected the state’s first Black woman governor, marking a historic milestone.
Exit polls indicated that around 70 per cent of voters wanted Congress to maintain strong checks and balances on presidential power.
Vice President JD Vance blamed the Republicans’ poor performance on the war with Iran. In a post on X, he wrote: “The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said that last night.”
Trump initially expressed frustration over the results, criticising Fox News’ election coverage and exit polls. He also argued that Republicans had suffered because he was not personally on the ballot.
He later acknowledged the Democrats’ victory and congratulated the party in an interview with Fox News, expressing willingness to work with the opposition on key issues, including immigration.
However, Trump said he had no regrets about the decisions taken during the first two years of his second term, describing them as the most successful two years in the history of any presidency.
Speaking to The New York Times, he also defended his decision to go to war with Iran, saying he would make the same decision again if given the opportunity.
Trump acknowledged that voters were unhappy with high fuel prices but insisted that he had no regrets about the military action. He said voters might have been dissatisfied with oil prices, adding that the decision had been wise for the future of the United States and the world.
The president watched the election results with senior aides in the White House East Room on Tuesday night. Those present included Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Todd Blanche and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
People familiar with the discussions said Trump blamed his political advisers for giving him misleading information about opinion polls before the election.
Political analysts say Democratic control of both chambers of Congress could create major obstacles for Trump’s legislative agenda during the final two years of his term.
Trump said Democrats had already contacted him about working together, particularly on the government’s debt limit. He added that he was open to cooperation if they presented good proposals, while noting that he retained full veto power.
