In brief

• Democrats have gained control of the US Senate in the midterm elections, a setback for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
• Votes for the House of Representatives were still being counted, with Democrats projected to win.
• A divided government would limit Trump's legislative agenda for the rest of his term.

Democrats take the Senate

The Democratic Party gained control of the Senate, a result that media outlets described as a stinging rebuke to President Donald Trump and his Republican Party (US midterms: Democrats gain control of Senate from Republicans – DW). The outcome came as voters in several states where Democrats have long struggled gave them unexpected ground (Democrats win the Senate, setting up divided government for remainder of Trump's term – NPR).

Voter frustration over prices

According to analysts, the political climate was difficult for Republicans, and voter frustration over high prices weighed heavily on the party's candidates. Reporting on the vote also showed it breaking along familiar lines, with results offering a detailed picture of who backed each party (US midterm election results: Democrats win crucial seats. Here's what else the data tells us – DW).

House race still open

Projections suggest Democrats are likely to take the House of Representatives as well, but votes there were still being counted at the time of reporting, so the result is not final (Midterm Election Results (Live Updates): Democrats Win Senate In Stunning Rout – Forbes). Early projections had already shown Democrats moving ahead in both chambers (U.S. midterm election results: Dems seen taking lead in Senate, House – Investing.com).

What it means for Trump

If the House result holds, Trump would face a Congress controlled by the opposition for the remainder of his term, limiting his ability to pass his legislative agenda (Democrats win control of Senate as US voters reject Trump’s agenda – The Guardian). The Guardian characterised the vote as a clear rejection of the agenda Trump has pushed since returning to office.

Read also

• Democrats Win House Majority in US Midterm Elections as Republicans Lose Ground
• US midterms test whether Democrats can check Trump's final two years in office
• US Midterms 2026: Polls Suggest Voters May Punish Trump at the Ballot Box