USAupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 26 September 2003Democrats Win 2026 Midterms, Take House and Senate Control From Trump
“The president's failure to deliver on key promises — most prominently, his vows to tame inflation, which has worsened instead — clearly weighed on his fellow Republicans”
“A wave of anger over Trump's policies, particularly the US-Iran war's role in pushing the cost of living higher, helped Democrats take the Senate”
Photo: U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andy Dunaway / US federal government, Public domain · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Democrats win control of both chambers, taking House and Senate from Republicans. Trump concedes Iran war contributed to losses as Democrats secure sweeping majorities.
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Midterms flip Congress
Democrats won majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, handing President Donald Trump a post-election loss of congressional control. Democrats flipped seats in deeply Republican states for a majority of at least 54-44, and Democrats gained at least 30 seats in the House of Representatives. Hakeem Jeffries told reporters, "We don't work for Donald Trump," and Jeffries added, "We work for the American people."
Trump spent his first post-election appearance showing off his under-construction White House ballroom, and Trump said, "For me it's relaxing." JD Vance blamed the rout on the war with Iran, and Vance wrote, "The reason we lost is the war."
Trump, Vance, and accountability
Trump told journalists he would "do it again" if necessary regarding the war with Iran, and Trump also said the assessment was "pretty accurate."
Vice President JD Vance wrote on X that "The war is the reason for our defeat," and Vance added, "Everyone knows why we lost."
Hakeem Jeffries promised that the incoming majority would focus on affordability and accountability, and Jeffries said, "We don't work for Donald Trump."
Zohran Mamdani urged Democrats to deliver after winning power, and Mamdani said, "It is not enough to simply win power. We must use it."
What comes next in Washington
Democrats were expected to use their power to investigate Trump's administration, family and allies and demand concessions on major legislation once seated in January. The Democratic Senate can block Trump's nominees, including any US Supreme Court justices should a vacancy arise, and the outcome is tied to questions about the longevity of Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. NBC News described Republicans beginning to grapple with how they lost so badly, and the story framed the moment as "Everything is going to change" for the party.
The Guardian said Republicans suffered historic losses, including a first-time Democratic Senate win in Kansas in 94 years, and the Guardian also said James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton in Texas. Democrats had wrested control of the United States Congress from Republicans by winning majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the outlet described the result as "a stunning blow to US President Donald Trump."