Democrats capture Congress in a major setback for President Donald Trump, after winning control of the Senate and securing projections of a victory in the House of Representatives in the November 2026 midterm elections.
The results represent a significant shift in Washington’s political balance, giving Democrats control of both chambers of Congress for the final two years of Trump’s second presidential term.
The Senate outcome was called by CNN after Democrats secured at least 51 seats, while MS NOW, CNN, NBC News and CBS News projected that the party had also won the House. The Associated Press had not called both chambers for Democrats at the time of the report.
The Democratic victories came amid widespread voter dissatisfaction over the economy, rising prices and the direction of the country. They also dealt a series of electoral blows to Republican candidates personally supported by Trump.
Rather than accepting responsibility for the outcome, Trump turned his criticism towards Fox News, accusing the broadcaster of contributing to Republican losses through its coverage of Democratic opposition figures.
“Fox News bears responsibility for these losses by constantly and consistently putting on the Dumocrat opposition, and worse,” Trump wrote.
Democrats take control of the Senate and House
The Senate victory is particularly significant because Democrats needed to overcome the Republicans’ 53-seat advantage before election day.
With at least 51 seats projected for Democrats, the party has secured the numbers required for a voting majority in the upper chamber.
The House victory is another important development, with major American television networks projecting that Democrats have regained control of the chamber after Republicans previously held a narrow majority.
The results give Democratic leaders greater authority over congressional proceedings, legislative priorities, federal spending debates and investigations involving the administration.
Republicans will consequently lose the unified congressional control that had helped Trump advance his legislative priorities during the first two years of his second term.
A Democratic-controlled Congress could also subject the administration to more extensive oversight and create greater resistance to its policy proposals.
Democratic victories extend beyond Washington
The Democratic gains were not limited to congressional contests. Several high-profile state elections also produced victories for the party.
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Senate contest, ending a long period without a Democratic statewide Senate victory in the traditionally Republican state.
North Carolina also produced a Democratic victory, with Roy Cooper defeating Republican Michael Whatley.
In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham, securing a Senate victory in a state that had not elected a Democratic senator this century.
Kansas delivered another important result, with Democrat Adam Hamilton winning against Republican incumbent Roger Marshall.
Ohio also witnessed a Democratic victory, as Sherrod Brown defeated Republican Jon Husted in the Senate race.
These results demonstrate the geographical reach of the Democratic gains, including states where Republican candidates had previously enjoyed substantial electoral advantages.
Voter dissatisfaction creates problems for Republicans
The election results followed months of public concern about household expenses, economic conditions and the administration’s handling of national affairs.
A Reuters analysis of exit-poll findings reported that nearly nine in ten voters considered the cost of living a crucial or major factor in their decisions.
The same findings indicated that nearly two-thirds of voters blamed Trump for high prices, while approximately three-quarters said they were angry or dissatisfied with the direction of the country.
Trump’s approval rating had also weakened before election day. A report by TIME, citing Pew Research Center, put his approval at 30% at the beginning of October, while a separate New York Times polling analysis placed it at 37% on November 3. These are different polling measurements and dates, not election vote shares.
The findings provide context for the Republican setbacks, although they do not establish that any single issue determined the outcome.
The administration’s economic policies, tariffs, rising fuel costs and the war involving Iran were among the issues that featured prominently in the election debate.
Trump’s preferred candidates suffer defeats
The results also raised questions about the effectiveness of Trump’s personal involvement in Republican campaigns.
Among the candidates who lost were several Republicans he had supported, including Ken Paxton in Texas, Michael Whatley in North Carolina and Darline Graham in South Carolina.
Trump had campaigned extensively for Republican candidates in the weeks leading up to the elections, holding rallies across several states.
Reuters reported that his campaign appearances had failed to prevent a series of defeats among candidates he had elevated, including in states where Republicans had expected to perform strongly.
The outcome could therefore intensify debate within the Republican Party over candidate selection, campaign strategy and the political consequences of closely associating local candidates with the president.
Trump turns on Fox News during election coverage
Following the emerging Republican losses, Trump directly blamed Fox News, accusing the network of giving too much attention to Democratic politicians and their arguments.
His criticism was followed by an extraordinary intervention during the broadcaster’s live election coverage, when he called into the programme to defend himself against responsibility for the party’s performance.
Trump also questioned the reliability of Fox News’ election polling, attacking the network’s pollsters during the conversation.
“The Fox polls are terrible. You ought to get yourself a good pollster, because your pollsters are the worst,” he said.
Fox News anchor Bret Baier challenged the president’s criticism by pointing out that the results emerging on election night were broadly consistent with the network’s polling.
“Tonight, actually, the results are pretty close to what the Fox polls showed,” Baier responded.
The exchange brought Trump’s disagreement with the broadcaster into the centre of election-night coverage, even as Democrats celebrated their congressional victories.
Los Angeles mayoral contest adds to Democratic celebrations
In California, Democratic supporters also gathered in Los Angeles as early returns showed incumbent Mayor Karen Bass holding a narrow lead over city council member Nithya Raman.
Raman’s supporters assembled outside the Greek Theatre on Tuesday night, where celebrations intensified as reports of Democratic victories from across the country reached the gathering.
The progressive council member is challenging Bass, a former political ally, and has presented herself as a candidate capable of addressing the city’s housing difficulties, homelessness and affordability concerns.
Her campaign gained ground in recent months as dissatisfaction grew among residents over the direction of Los Angeles.
Housing costs influence Raman supporters
Among those attending the gathering was Max Rico, a high school teacher from South Central Los Angeles who arrived wearing a Halloween costume designed to resemble a ballot box.
Rico said affordable housing was an important reason for supporting Raman. He explained that he had repeatedly seen students leave school before completing the academic year because their families relocated to communities with lower living costs.
Although he had previously supported Bass, Rico said he was disappointed with her administration and believed its policies had failed to provide sufficient assistance to communities that needed it.
Despite Bass leading in the early returns, he remained hopeful that Raman could gain ground as ballots from younger voters were counted.
The mayoral contest added another local dimension to a night dominated by Democratic victories across the United States.
What Democratic control means for Trump’s remaining presidency
The Democratic takeover of Congress changes the political environment facing Trump during the final two years of his current term.
With Republicans no longer controlling both chambers, the administration will face a more difficult legislative process and increased scrutiny from congressional Democrats.
The new congressional majority will have opportunities to influence spending legislation, organise investigations and challenge aspects of the president’s domestic and foreign policy agenda.
However, Democratic control does not mean the party can automatically implement every campaign promise. Trump remains president and retains his constitutional veto powers, meaning disagreements between the White House and Congress could produce legislative deadlock.
The elections also place greater responsibility on Democratic leaders to respond to the economic concerns that helped shape the campaign.
Voters who supported Democratic candidates over affordability, healthcare and other issues will expect the new congressional leadership to demonstrate that its electoral victories can translate into practical outcomes.
For Republicans, the results represent a substantial political setback and a challenge to the president’s influence over his party.
The 2026 elections have therefore changed the balance of power in Washington, leaving Trump to confront a Congress controlled by the opposition as he enters the remaining years of his presidency.
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