
The president wasn't on any ballot, and yet it was all about him. Now the Americans have punished Donald Trump, his political endgame begins.
AI-generated summary
The article is an editorial from SPIEGEL by Mathieu von Rohr, published on November 4th, 2026. Donald Trump was not on the ballot in the midterms, but in the author's opinion the election was all about him.
This printable was created on November 4, 2026 and is licensed for personal use only.
Other uses violate copyright
opinion •Midterms in the USA This is the beginning of the end of the Trump era
The SPIEGEL editorial by Mathieu von Rohr
The president wasn't on any ballot, and yet it was all about him. Now the Americans have punished Donald Trump, his political endgame begins.
November 4, 2026, 8:52 a.m
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Donald Trump's political endgame begins after the midterms.
Very likely · Within weeks

The Republicans failed in the US midterm elections despite over $400 million in campaign aid from Elon Musk. The Democrats won with a wide range of candidates and conveyed confidence that credibility and concepts matter more than money and good relationships.

Inflation in the euro zone once again exceeds four percent. In addition to energy prices, AI investments and an expansionary fiscal policy are driving inflation. Due to the ongoing situation, experts do not see any easing trend until spring.
Friedrich Merz calls for a woman to succeed Federal President Steinmeier. The commentary critically questions this definition and addresses the role of the office and the implications of gender-specific selection.

The Democratic victory in the US midterms leads to political power sharing. While this stabilizes the markets in the short term, in the long term the president's domestic political paralysis poses a new, acute risk for the financial world.

The US midterm elections are developing into a brilliant reckoning with Donald Trump and his politics. Despite his absence from the ballot, the election is seen as his personal and devastating defeat.

During a state visit to Berlin, President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed Germany's role as Ukraine's most important defense partner. Chancellor Friedrich Merz is described as determined but increasingly helpless as the future of Ukraine is being decided in Moscow and Washington. The US government announced peace talks with Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi next week, without the Europeans at the table.