As expected: the Republican Party suffered a significant defeat in the U.S. midterm elections, and Donald Trump made an unusual congratulatory statement to the Democrats. On November 3, the United States held its midterm elections, with the latest vote counts showing that the Democratic Party secured control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. In a phone interview with CBS News, President Trump extended his congratulations to Democrats on their electoral victory.
The outcome closely aligned with pre-election projections: Democrats not only captured the House but also reclaimed the Senate, expected to hold at least 51 seats. This marks the formal beginning of a "divided government" scenario for the remainder of Trump’s second term. While offering congratulations, Trump added, “I have full veto power.” His message was clear: cooperation is possible, but any attempt to bypass him will be blocked. He repeatedly emphasized, “I’m not on the ballot—if I were, we would have won by a landslide.” This remark served as an explanation to Republican base voters and MAGA supporters, while simultaneously shifting blame—arguing that the loss stemmed not from his leadership, but from weak candidates and low voter turnout.
What stands out is that the Democratic gains were not marginal but represented historic breakthroughs in traditionally red states. In North Carolina, Democrats won a U.S. Senate seat for the first time in 18 years. In Texas, they secured a Senate seat for the first time since 1988, and also flipped the governorship blue. South Carolina saw Democrats win a Senate seat for the first time in 28 years. In Ohio, Kansas, and Iowa, either Senate or gubernatorial seats shifted to Democratic control.
While Trump quickly sought to deflect responsibility, American voters appear to see the situation differently. These states had long been reliable Republican strongholds; their shift indicates that voter dissatisfaction with inflation, gasoline prices, cost of living, immigration policy, and foreign spending has now translated into electoral consequences. Trump’s congratulatory gesture, though publicly gracious, appears calculated: he accepts the new political landscape while reserving strategic leverage. His underlying signal is unmistakable: Congress may be under Democratic control, but the veto power remains in his hands, the executive authority stays with him, and the narrative for the 2028 presidential election is still up for grabs. This suggests that even in the face of domestic setbacks, Trump intends to maintain a dominant posture through foreign policy and geopolitical issues.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880906299807747/
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