By — Michelle L. Price, Associated Press Michelle L. Price, Associated Press By — Seung Min Kim, Associated Press Seung Min Kim, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-says-democrats-did-a-good-job-blames-republican-candidates-for-midterm-losses Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Trump says Democrats 'did a good job,' blames Republican candidates for midterm losses Politics Nov 4, 2026 12:34 AM EST 2026 ELECTION COVERAGE: Watch Live | Poll Closing Times | All Live Results | Live Updates | Live Fact Check WASHINGTON (AP) — Voters delivered a significant rebuke to President Donald Trump on Tuesday by handing Democrats control of the Senate, rejecting his handpicked candidates while airing widespread concerns about high costs in the wake of his war against Iran and his punishing tariff policy. Democratic candidates flipped Republican-held seats in North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, Texas, South Carolina and Kansas, where the president had personally chosen the GOP nominees or tried to rally voters on their behalf with campaign stops. The results were also a major reprimand from voters of Trump, who repeatedly urged voters to "pretend…
Trump says Democrats 'did a good job,' blames Republican candidates for midterm losses
In short
The sweeping Democratic victories across six traditionally competitive and red states leave Trump facing a divided Washington with heavily depleted leverage. Despite previously framing the midterms as a direct personal referendum, the president distanced himself from the losses by faulting the nominees he had endorsed. His handpicked candidates stumbled in pivotal races, including Ken Paxton's high-profile defeat to Democrat James Talarico in Texas. The newly installed Senate majority now wields the necessary authority to shut down future federal appointments and launch formal oversight into administration policies.
Key points
- A Democratic-controlled Senate now possesses the legislative power to block Trump's nomin…: A Democratic-controlled Senate now possesses the legislative power to block Trump's nominations for Cabinet vacancies and federal court judgeships.
- The sudden transition ends two years of supportive Republican congressional rule in favor…: The sudden transition ends two years of supportive Republican congressional rule in favor of aggressive executive branch investigations.
- Trump publicly blamed his endorsed candidates for the midterm losses despite having urged…: Trump publicly blamed his endorsed candidates for the midterm losses despite having urged his base to treat the elections as a personal referendum.