Democrats won control of the House and Senate; Trump says he was little surprised by midterms results

Trump Reacts to Losses

Trump said Tuesday that he had expected Republicans to perform better, despite holding large rallies during the campaign. He said many people gathered outside venues and could not get in.

He also said he watched the results closely and learned from the election. Asked whether some candidates had fallen short, Trump said he did not want to blame anyone.

Trump had urged Republicans in states and districts he won in 2024 to vote as though he were on the ballot. He was involved in several races, including the Texas Senate contest and a South Carolina special election.

Candidates and Gas Prices

Trump attributed some of the losses to Republican candidates and high gas prices connected to the war in Iran. Democrats’ victories gave them control of the House and, later, the Senate.

After results came in, Trump criticized Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who lost his bid for a fourth term. Trump said Abbott would not have lost if he had not become a “RINO,” a term meaning “Republican in Name Only.”

Work With Democrats, Keep Veto

Trump also emphasized that Democrats would not be able to enact legislation without his approval. He posted an image of his red hat bearing the word “VETO” and told Fox News he could return bills with a veto. The statements combined an offer of cooperation with a warning about his authority to reject legislation.