Democrats are projected to take control of the House of Representatives in a major setback for President Trump—one that could signal the beginning of the end for the MAGA movement.
Trump was not on the ballot, but the midterm elections became a nationwide referendum on his presidency. Republicans endured heavy losses in a result that delivered a sharp rebuke to the White House.
Exit polls indicated that voters were passing a harsh judgment on Trump’s failure to lower the cost of living for ordinary Americans.
The outcome, which points to a significant erosion of Trump’s once-powerful MAGA coalition, could also complicate Vice President JD Vance’s potential plans for a 2028 presidential campaign.
CNN and CNBC projected that Democrats would secure a majority in the House. Control of the Republican-held Senate remained undecided as votes continued to be counted.
Still, the projected Democratic wave in the House would push Trump into lame-duck territory for the final two years of his presidency.
After the House was called, Trump responded on Truth Social: “I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!”
Although Trump was not on the ballot, the midterm elections effectively became a referendum on his presidency
Signs of frustration emerged early at the White House. As the first polls closed, Trump attacked Fox News over its exit-poll questions, dismissing them as “BULLS***” in a post on Truth Social.
The poll found that 87 percent of voters were worried about gas prices, while 62 percent held Trump responsible.
Trump later texted Fox News host Greg Gutfeld during a live broadcast, arguing: “I inherited the worst prices and inflation in history from Sleepy Joe. Prices are heading down FAST!”
Among the first major race calls, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff delivered Trump an early blow by decisively defeating his handpicked Republican challenger, Mike Collins, in Georgia.
Democrats soon recorded the first Republican Senate defeat of the night when Roy Cooper won quickly in North Carolina against Republican favorite Michael Whatley.
In another startling result, Democrats captured a Senate seat in deeply conservative South Carolina.
Pediatrician Annie Andrews narrowly defeated Republican Darline Graham, Trump’s chosen candidate, who had sought to succeed her late brother, Lindsey Graham.
In Florida, Trump-backed Republican Senator Ashley Moody held on against democratic socialist Angie Nixon.
Trump’s candidate for Florida governor, Byron Donalds, also secured a narrow victory.
Democrats claimed their first Republican-held House seat of the night in western North Carolina.
Jamie Ager, a candidate with a farming background, defeated Republican state legislator Jennifer Balkcom.
A Democratic House takeover would obstruct much of Trump’s legislative agenda and open the door to investigations led by Democrats into the president, his allies and his family. A third impeachment could even be pursued.
Trump would have to rely more heavily on executive action in areas where he retains authority, including tariffs, immigration, foreign policy and military operations. He could also use his veto power to block Democratic legislation.
Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, pulled off a stunning South Carolina Senate victory over Darline Graham, the candidate personally selected by Trump and sister of the late Lindsey Graham
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff dealt Trump an early election-night setback by retaining his Georgia seat
Jon Ossoff supporters celebrate in Atlanta, Georgia
An extensive AP Voter Poll showed a public eager for change, with 75 percent of respondents saying they felt either “angry” or “dissatisfied” with the country’s direction.
About six in 10 voters blamed Trump’s policies for high prices, while 71 percent said Congress should impose stronger checks and balances on the presidency.
The economy ranked as the top issue for roughly four in 10 voters, while three in 10 identified democracy as their primary concern. Both issues outpaced crime, healthcare and immigration.
On the eve of voting, Trump’s approval rating stood at just 32 percent in a Reuters/Ipsos poll, with 64 percent disapproving of his performance.
Approximately 78 percent of voters said the cost of living was either the most important factor, or a very important one, in deciding how to vote.
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Democrats also showed greater enthusiasm, with 49 percent describing themselves as “very enthusiastic” about voting, compared with 33 percent of Republicans.
Our News Outlet spoke with voters across the country who said affordability—including elevated gas and diesel prices linked to the Iran war—was by far their biggest concern.
A CNN exit poll found that 65 percent believed Trump had made economic conditions worse.
The same poll showed that 16 percent of voters were casting ballots to support Trump, 43 percent to oppose him and 41 percent saying he was not a factor.
The results also suggested that many Latino voters who supported Trump in 2024 had shifted back toward the Democrats, citing frustration over the economy and ICE roundups.
All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats were contested on November 3
Democratic Congressman Hakeem Jeffries is expected to become the first Black Speaker of the House
Hakeem Jeffries, the New York congressman and current House Democratic leader, is expected to become the next Speaker. He would replace Republican Mike Johnson.
Jeffries, 56, a former corporate lawyer, would become the first Black Speaker of the House. The role places him second in the presidential line of succession, behind the vice president.
Alongside investigations into the Trump family, Jeffries plans to pursue a legislative program focused on reversing Medicaid cuts, restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies and reducing the cost of groceries, housing and energy.
Republicans entered the midterms with a narrow 218-214 advantage in the 435-member House. One independent caucused with Republicans, while two seats were vacant.
The GOP held a more comfortable 53-47 majority in the 100-seat Senate.
Every House seat and 35 Senate seats were up for election. Republicans held 22 of those Senate seats, while Democrats held 13.
Voters in 36 of the 50 states were also choosing governors.
The cost of food and gasoline was a central concern for voters heading to the polls
A voter leaves a polling station after casting a ballot in Georgia
Early voting had continued for weeks, and more than 100 million people were believed to have cast ballots—roughly two-thirds of the turnout seen in a presidential election.
According to advertising intelligence firm AdImpact, spending on campaign advertising reached a record $12 billion.
Television viewers saw roughly $4 billion of that spending in October alone, much of it devoted to relentless negative advertising against rival candidates.
Republicans narrowly outspent Democrats during the final month, with Elon Musk alone contributing more than $300 million.
Texas, Ohio and Michigan were the states attracting the largest advertising investments.
Held halfway through each four-year presidential term, midterm elections do not include the president’s name on the ballot. They nevertheless typically deliver a setback for the party in power.
The midterm results could cloud JD Vance’s prospects for a 2028 White House bid
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson will be forced to hand the gavel to Democrats
They give voters an opportunity to express their view of an administration’s first two years and demand a change in direction.
In 2006, Democrats achieved a so-called “blue wave” during Republican President George W. Bush’s administration, as voters reacted against the war on terror.
Four years later, Republicans gained 63 House seats during Barack Obama’s presidency, a result the Democratic president described as a “shellacking.”
During Trump’s first term in 2018, Democrats gained 40 seats in the House.
