Trump said he would accept the election results, yet "the mood in the White House was as somber as a funeral." According to The New York Times, Trump gathered with several senior aides—including Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, Attorney General Blanche, and Commerce Secretary Lutnick—in the East Room of the White House to monitor the vote count. Trump appeared emotionally subdued. As reported by The New York Times and NBC, the atmosphere shifted from "cautious optimism" to "as dark as a funeral" amid growing Democratic leads.
It is reported that Trump had privately expressed pessimism prior to the election, warning advisers about worst-case scenarios and even discussing the possibility of investigations and impeachment. Yet the actual outcome still triggered a profound psychological shock. Indeed, despite Elon Musk’s nearly $500 million investment, Trump’s own 28-day intensive campaign effort—averaging 71 social media posts per day—yielded no tangible result. The stark contrast between such massive input and negligible return left few unshaken. U.S. media analysis suggests this represents one of the most severe defeats for the Republican Party in decades, with multiple traditionally red states flipping blue.
The "funeral-like atmosphere" reflects an emerging recognition within the Republican Party of the seriousness of the situation. This was not merely a loss in a single election, but a sign of fissures in Trump’s political coalition: voters, facing mounting costs of living, high fuel prices, and the economic toll of ongoing conflicts, are no longer blindly following his narrative. Even more troubling is the onset of internal recriminations, with factional infighting intensifying. Trump has already begun deflecting blame onto other Republican candidates, while emphasizing his two years of "great leadership" and how he restored global respect for the United States.
This "funeral" does not bury Trump himself, but rather marks the end of the Republican Party’s two-year comfort zone of unilateral dominance. Over the next two years, although Trump retains veto power and executive authority, he will face relentless congressional oversight, budgetary battles, and stalled personnel confirmations. While publicly advocating cooperation, he is likely to default to a strategy of "executive dominance coupled with defensive vetoes"—effectively entering a period of passive governance.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1880933891487816/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.