Trump blames Republicans — Donald Trump has pointed the finger at his own party after Republicans suffered heavy losses in the US midterms, even as he acknowledged that the Democrats had performed well in a contest that handed them control of both chambers of Congress. In a series of public comments and social media posts, the president blamed individual Republican candidates and the economic fallout from the Iran conflict for the result, while making clear he intends to use his veto power against Democratic legislation.
Abbott singled out as Texas falls to Democrats
The president directed particular anger at Greg Abbott, the Texas governor who lost his race to Democrat Gina Hinojosa. Trump wrote on Truth Social that Abbott would not have been defeated had he not turned into a “RINO” — an acronym for Republican in Name Only — during the final months of his campaign. The loss in Texas marked the first Democratic win in the state’s governor race in more than three decades.
Trump also sought to distance himself from other Republican candidates who were beaten, telling CBS News that voters in some cases simply did not like the people on the ballot, and that some of those candidates were not friends of his. He insisted that the outcome would have been very different if his own name had been on the ballot, claiming Republicans would have won easily.
President accepts results and praises Democratic effort
Despite the blame directed at fellow Republicans, Trump said he accepted the election results. In comments to The New York Times, he said he was absolutely willing to accept them and looked forward to working with the Democrats, adding that they would probably find a way to cooperate.
Speaking to Fox News, he admitted to being somewhat surprised by the scale of the Republican losses, saying he had expected the party’s candidates to do better. He conceded that the Democrats had fought hard and done a good job. However, he warned that they would send what he called insane legislation to his desk, which he would veto. After a few months of vetoes, he predicted, Democrats would return to ask how to get things done, and the two sides would work together. He stressed that he holds the power of veto.
On Truth Social, Trump posted an of a red cap — the style usually bearing his Make America Great Again slogan — with the word “VETO” on it, a apparent reference to his ability to block bills passed by Congress.
Iran conflict and fuel prices cited as factors
The president acknowledged that the conflict with Iran had played a part in the defeat. Asked by a Fox News anchor what lessons could be drawn from the results, he said part of it was Iran. He added that it was the war’s effect on US fuel prices that had turned voters away, saying people agreed with what he was doing on Iran but were probably unwilling to accept the short-term consequence of paying more for gasoline.
As Republican losses mounted through the night, Trump had announced on Truth Social that he would become a political pundit, commenting on the reasons candidates won and lost. He also criticised Fox News in several posts, complaining that the outlet had spent too much time covering the Democrats and blaming its poor ratings on its attitude toward him rather than on his own actions. He was also unhappy that the network had interviewed former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, whom he described as the worst mayor in the city’s history and said had left office in disgrace.
Democrats secure Senate and House
The midterm elections delivered control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to the Democrats, a result that reshapes the balance of power in Washington. The outcome prompted reactions beyond US shores, with Iran’s chief negotiator saying that Americans had voted no to war. In Texas, James Talarico became the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in the state since 1988.
Trump’s mixed response — accepting the result while blaming his own party and outside events — sets the stage for a period of divided government in which the president’s veto is likely to become a central tool. His comments suggest he intends to test Democratic legislative priorities against his power to reject them, while leaving open the possibility of eventual cooperation.
