US President Donald Trump has reacted to the Republican Party's projected setbacks in the 2026 midterm elections, claiming that his party would have secured a landslide victory if he had been on the ballot. The remarks came as Democrats made significant gains across the country, putting Republican control of Congress under serious pressure.
"I wasn't on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE! Thank you for your attention to this matter," Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.
The 2026 midterm elections have emerged as a major political test for Trump's second presidential term. Voters have expressed concerns over the rising cost of living, tariffs and the economic consequences of the US war against Iran. Higher fuel prices and dissatisfaction with the administration's policies have also become important issues during the election campaign.
Democrats have made substantial gains in several key races, including contests that were previously considered Republican strongholds. One of the biggest developments came from South Carolina, where Democratic paediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Republican candidate Darline Graham, according to election projections. The result is particularly significant because Democrats had not won a Senate election in the traditionally conservative state since 1998.
Another major setback for Republicans came in North Carolina, where former Democratic governor Roy Cooper defeated a Trump-backed candidate in the Senate race.
The Republican Party also suffered a setback in Ohio, where Indian-American Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy lost the gubernatorial election to Democrat Amy Acton. The contest was closely watched because Ohio is the home state of Vice President JD Vance.
Meanwhile, Democrats secured important victories in Georgia and New Hampshire. Senator Jon Ossoff won re-election in Georgia, retaining a crucial Democratic seat. In New Hampshire, Chris Pappas also secured victory, becoming the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate.
Before the elections, Republicans held a 53-47 majority in the Senate, while Democrats needed four net seat gains to take control of the chamber. With two Republican-held seats reportedly flipping to Democrats, the battle for Senate control remained unresolved.
The results are also raising questions about the future direction of Trump's political agenda. If Democrats eventually gain control of either chamber of Congress, they could significantly influence legislation, government spending and oversight of the administration.
For Trump, the midterm results represent a serious political challenge halfway through his second term, with voters delivering a strong message about the issues shaping American politics.
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