Trump's received a huge slap in the face - but Andy Burnham's nightmare has just begun

Trump's received a huge slap in the face - but Andy Burnham's nightmare has just begun Expect the embattled US President to double down on the one thing that will cause a nightmare for Andy Burnham, writes Matthew Dooley. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments OPINION By Matthew Dooley , News Editor 08:48, Wed, Nov 4, 2026 Updated: 09:47, Wed, Nov 4, 2026 Donald Trump congratulates Democrats after major loss There’s nothing Donald Trump hates more than a loser, and that should terrify those of us on this side of the Atlantic.

Democrats will rightly be gloating after the Republicans’ historic defeat ; Trump told voters to pretend he was on the ballot. They did, and the results were catastrophic. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT And while Trump will be hamstrung domestically, plagued by political gridlock, he'll largely be given free rein in foreign policy. Expect the embattled President to double down on the one thing that cost him these elections: his war in Iran.

While toppling the Ayatollahs is a noble endeavour in theory, it means fuel prices will continue to soar while driving inflation, and Andy Burnham’s fiscal headroom evaporates. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The £100 off energy bills announced in the Budget already feels like a joke to families embroiled in a worsening cost-of-living crisis. If this is just the beginning, we’d better brace ourselves. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT That’s not to mention Trump’s particularly prickly relationship with NATO and Ukraine .

Will Trump turn his focus to ending that war by whatever means possible to cement his legacy? Does he begin to weigh in more on British domestic politics? What is the US’s stance on the Falklands over the next two years? Will the President fully let loose on the Chagos Islands debacle? Trump, free of any future electoral consequences, is likely to be a nightmare for Andy Burnham and Britain. Trump's Republican Party has suffered a massive defeat in the US midterms. (Image: Getty) Trump’s fatal mistake Trump once said he could shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue and MAGA would still vote for him.

But his party lost the midterms as soon as US bombs started falling on Iran. There is a lot MAGA can forgive but starting what feels a lot like a forever war is not one of them. Afghanistan and Iraq, largely seen as pointless quagmires to many in the States, cost America dearly in lives, treasure and reputation. Gas (petrol) prices are soaring - the mortal sin of US politics. To quote Clinton’s strategist James Carville: “It's the economy, stupid.”

Add in a growing suspicion on the left and right flanks of American politics about the US’s relationship with Israel , and you have the perfect storm for a ‘blue tsunami’. The fact that my Deep Red home state of South Carolina elected a Democrat to the Senate for the first time in nearly 30 years tells you everything you need to know about the elections. It is a shocking loss for Republicans. That said, Democrats won’t have an easy time of it going into 2028.

Trump still holds the power to veto any laws Democrats put across his desk, meaning almost nothing of substance will be achieved on the national level. “The Presidency is still up for grabs; the Democrats won’t do anything,” says one of my more left-leaning American friends. Similarly to Keir Starmer ’s sweeping 2024 victory in Britain when Labour ousted the Tories after 14 years in power, the Democrats have benefited massively from one thing: They are not the party of Donald Trump .

But Trump’s almost certainly not running in 2028, and he now has two years to run amok with no consequences. And that should absolutely terrify Andy Burnham as he sits down at his desk in No.10 this morning. Get the latest news from around the world and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Donald Trump Andy Burnham Cost of living International Relations Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments