US Election: Democrats seize control of Congress in major blow to Trump

The Democratic Party has secured control of the United States Senate and is projected to take over the House of Representatives, marking a major political setback for President Donald Trump and his Republican Party in the 2026 midterm elections.

The results represent a significant shift in political power in Washington, ending Republican control of both chambers of Congress and setting the stage for a challenging final two years of Trump’s presidency.

According to election projections and reports by major US media organisations, Democrats made significant gains across several states, including traditionally Republican strongholds such as Texas, Kansas and Ohio.

The Associated Press confirmed the party’s victory in the Senate, while other networks projected Democratic control of the House.

The Democratic victory in the Senate was particularly notable, with the party flipping several seats previously held by Republicans.

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, marking the first time since 1988 that Democrats had won a US Senate seat in the state.

Democrats also secured important victories in Kansas and Ohio, further weakening Republican influence in Congress.

The outcome is expected to have far-reaching consequences for Trump’s administration, as Democratic lawmakers prepare to exercise greater oversight of the federal government and challenge some of the president’s legislative priorities.

Democrats could use their newly gained congressional power to launch investigations into the administration, scrutinise government decisions and demand greater accountability from the White House.

Their control of Congress could also make it more difficult for Trump to advance his domestic agenda without negotiating with opposition lawmakers.

Reacting to the election results, Trump acknowledged that Democrats had performed well, although he appeared surprised by the scale of the Republican losses.

In an interview with Fox News presenter Bret Baier, the president admitted that the opposition had done a good job, describing the political atmosphere as one in which emotions were running high.

“We had great rallies”, Trump said, adding that he was slightly surprised by the outcome.

He also indicated his willingness to work with Democrats on issues where the two parties could find common ground, suggesting that cooperation remained possible despite the political divisions in Washington.

Earlier, Trump had taken to social media to defend his political position, arguing that he had not personally been on the ballot and suggesting that Republicans would have performed better if he had been a candidate.

Trump also ruled out making changes to his administration in response to the election results, maintaining that his government would continue its work despite the setbacks suffered by his party.

The 2026 midterm elections, held halfway through Trump’s second presidential term, have delivered a strong message about the political mood among American voters.

The cost of living, inflation, dissatisfaction with government policies and concerns about the administration’s priorities featured prominently in the campaign.

With Democrats preparing to assume greater control of Congress, the coming months are likely to test Trump’s ability to govern while facing a strengthened political opposition.