America turns blue as Democrats make sweeping gains in US midterm elections; Trump vows to work with opposition

The Democratic Party has won control of both chambers of the US Congress in the midterm elections, ending Republican majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate. President Donald Trump said he was willing to accept the results and work with Democrats, while rejecting suggestions that the outcome reflected negatively on his presidency.

Democrats gain seats in Republican-held states

According to the latest results, Democrats won several seats previously held by Republicans, including in states that supported Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Democrats gained at least seven Republican-held Senate seats and more than two dozen seats in the House of Representatives. The results put the party in a position to control both chambers when the new Congress convenes in January 2027.

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, securing a Senate victory for his party in a state where Democrats had not won a Senate election in nearly four decades.

In Kansas, Adam Hamilton defeated incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall, giving Democrats their first Senate victory in the state since 1932.

Democrats also won Republican-held Senate seats in South Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, North Carolina and Maine. The party retained seats in Georgia and Michigan.

Trump says he will accept election results

In an interview with The New York Times, Trump said he was prepared to accept the outcome of the midterm elections.

"I am absolutely willing to accept those results," he said.

"We'll work with the Democrats, and we'll, you know, look forward to working with them. We'll probably work something out," he added.

Trump's remarks came despite his refusal to concede defeat in the 2020 presidential election, when he repeatedly alleged widespread electoral fraud without providing evidence.

In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump rejected the suggestion that the midterm results reflected negatively on his presidency.

"I don't view it as a hit on me," he said.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump also said, "I wasn't on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!"

He subsequently posted an image of a cap bearing the word "VETO", referring to the president's constitutional authority to reject legislation passed by Congress.

Democratic control changes balance of power in Congress

Republicans entered the midterm elections with narrow majorities in both chambers. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives were contested, along with approximately one-third of the 100 seats in the Senate.

With Democrats set to control both chambers, the administration will need to negotiate with the opposition to secure congressional approval for legislation.

Democrats will also control congressional committees, giving them greater authority to conduct hearings, examine government policies and scrutinise decisions taken by the administration.

The Senate will also oversee confirmation proceedings for presidential nominees. However, Trump will retain his power to veto legislation passed by Congress. An override requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to seek the position of Speaker when the new Congress convenes on January 3. If elected, he would become the first Black person to hold the post.

Cost of living among key election issues

The midterm elections were held halfway through Trump's second four-year term, which began in January 2025.

Household expenses and the US war with Iran were among the issues raised during the election campaign, according to reports and voter surveys.

Exit polls indicated that nearly nine in 10 voters considered the cost of living a major or crucial factor in deciding their vote.

In addition to congressional contests, elections were held for governorships and state legislatures. Democrats also won several positions previously held by Republicans.