After Democrats took the Senate, Trump’s asked voters to pretend he was on the ballot—and results responded

Economic concerns shaped votes

Exit polling by SSRS for a consortium of U.S. media outlets found that nearly nine in 10 voters considered the cost of living a crucial or major factor in their congressional choices. Roughly two-thirds blamed Trump for high prices, and many said they felt worse off than two years earlier.

About four in 10 respondents named the economy as the country’s most important issue. Three in 10 chose democracy, while three-quarters said they were angry or dissatisfied with the country’s direction.

Trump made the race personal

Trump repeatedly urged voters to imagine he was on the ballot and traveled to largely conservative states to support Republican candidates. He warned about Democrats controlling Washington while defending tariffs and the war against Iran, which the article says drove up prices.

The election followed Trump’s promise to curb high inflation. The article says tariffs on foreign goods and the war with Iran worsened economic pressures, while his approval ratings fell to record lows.

Republican candidates faced setbacks

Democratic victories suggested Trump’s recent campaign visits across 19 states did little to improve his standing. Candidates he elevated struggled in races Republicans had expected to win, leaving the party on the defensive.

The losses may renew questions about Trump’s political judgment and his preference for personal loyalty over candidates with wider electoral appeal. Republicans had hoped his white working-class supporters would turn out in large numbers to help their allies.

Disputes and party questions remain

The administration also failed to stop California from counting 20,000 ballots from people the federal government identified as likely noncitizens. Democrats’ own political divisions remain, with progressives and more moderate party members assessing what the results mean for their influence.