Democrats Take Congress as Trump Faces Midterm Rebuke

A red cap marked “VETO” became President Donald Trump’s blunt message to Democrats after they won control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterms. The result was a sharp setback for Republicans, who lost at least seven Senate seats in states including Texas, Kansas and South Carolina. Trump congratulated the winners, then insisted the outcome was not a judgment on him. ¹⁵

The VETO message followed a rapid shift in tone. Trump first posted that Republicans would have won “IN A LANDSLIDE” if he had been on the ballot. He later told The New York Times he was “absolutely willing” to accept the results and would try to work with Democrats. In a Fox News interview, he said he would block bills he considered “insane.” He also acknowledged that the Iran war had played a part in the losses, while defending his decision to start it. ^1,3

The losses matter because Democrats will now control the two parts of Congress that write and pass federal laws: the House of Representatives and the Senate. That gives them more power to set the lawmaking agenda and challenge the president’s plans during the final two years of his term. Trump’s veto threat points to a likely fight over bills, though he also said the parties could reach agreements. The election results suggest voters’ concerns included high living costs and the war’s effect on fuel prices. ^11,15

Fuel costs and the war also shaped Trump’s explanation for the defeat. He said voters may not have accepted the short-term economic cost of the Iran conflict, but maintained that Americans understood its importance. Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called the result a vote against war. The next test will come as Democrats send bills to the White House: Trump will decide whether to sign them, veto them or negotiate. ^11,15