CNN and CNBC reported that the Democrats had secured the majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate, and had the upper hand in disrupting Trump's legislative agenda and launching investigations into his officials, which they had promised early on. The elections are considered a popular referendum on Trump's second term, especially in light of voters' dissatisfaction with the high costs of living, customs duties, and the ongoing war on Iran, which in turn contributed to the rise in fuel prices, causing the president's support rates to decline to their lowest historical levels.
In one of the biggest surprises on Election Day, media estimates showed that Democratic pediatrician Annie Andrews won over her Republican rival, Darlene Graham, who is supported by Trump, in the state of South Carolina. Darlene was appointed to succeed her brother, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, after his death in July. Democrats have not won any Senate elections in this conservative state since 1998. This victory was preceded by a Republican loss in North Carolina, where former governor of the state Roy Cooper took the seat of former Chairman of the Republican National Committee Michael Whatley, who was personally chosen by Trump.
Adam Hamilton's victory over current Republican Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas was one of the biggest surprises, making him the first to win this seat since 1932. Democrat James Tallarico won the US Senate race in Texas, thus grabbing an additional seat for his party. Democrat Sherrod Brown defeated Republican Jon Husted in a tight race for a Senate seat in Ohio. Also, Democrats were able to retain crucial seats in the Senate, especially Georgia, where Jon Ossoff won a new term, and New Hampshire, where Chris Pappas became the first gay man to be elected to the Senate.
'Blue wave' warning
The momentum clearly seemed to favor the Democrats. The election results showed the widening extent of the Republican setback, with Democrats making gains in districts that had long been considered Republican strongholds. In a widely watched race, Democrat Jay D. Ford defeated Republican Representative Victoria Spartz in Indiana. Analysts considered that a Republican loss in this district would be an early indicator of the possibility of a Democratic “blue wave.”
Also, the party won a Republican seat in the House of Representatives in North Carolina, while results in Florida showed that redrawing electoral districts did not achieve the desired gains for Republicans. In Georgia, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governorship, becoming the first black woman to be elected governor in the history of the United States, ending 24 years of Republican control of the position. However, Republicans made some gains, as Byron Donalds, supported by Trump, won the governorship of Florida, becoming the state's first black governor, while Republican Ashley Moody retained a seat in the Senate. Ossoff considered that the Democratic victories demonstrate American voters' rejection of President Donald Trump, whom he described as "corrupt" and "useless."
A "united" white house
A White House official said that the atmosphere in the US presidential headquarters is characterized by “challenging,” warning that the president will continue to confront the “extremist left” regardless of the election results. “Prepare for what is coming,” he warned. Democrats' control of the House of Representatives would enable parliamentary committees to investigate the war on Iran, mass deportations of immigrants, and suspicions of corruption, as well as complicate Trump's efforts to pass new legislation. Losing the Senate will also threaten his ability to confirm judges and appoint senior officials in his administration. For many voters, the cost of living was the main issue in the election. “Rents, food prices, utility bills and property taxes continue to rise,” said voter Taylor Cook, 24, of Los Angeles. “I want people in Congress who will take real action to address these costs.”
On Tuesday, Trump defended his policies during a television phone call to voters on the morning of Election Day, stressing that his measures on immigration, Iran, and customs duties contributed to “rebuilding” the country. Trump told the "Fox & Friends" program, "We have to preserve the greatness of America. We are great now. We were terrible two years ago." Trump had previously hinted at the possibility of dealing with an opposition-controlled Congress, saying in an interview broadcast Monday, "I will veto everything," before he acknowledged the possibility of later reaching understandings with the Democrats. Trump told the New York Times, "I am fully prepared to accept those results. We will work with the Democrats, and we look forward, as you know, to cooperating with them. We will likely reach understandings."
