Democrat Roy Cooper wins North Carolina Senate race, flipping Republican-held seat|@RoyCooperNC|X
Democrats have won control of both the US Senate and the House of Representatives, delivering a major political setback to President Donald Trump in the 2026 midterm elections.
Republican strongholds turn blue
Dems scored several historic wins. Texas elected its first Democratic senator since 1988, while Kansas chose its first Democratic senator in 94 years.
In South Carolina, Democrats defeated Trump's preferred Senate candidate. They also flipped Iowa's Senate seat and defeated several other Trump-backed Republicans.
Voters voice frustration
High living costs, rising fuel prices, and dissatisfaction with Trump's handling of the war with Iran fueled the Democratic gains. Exit polls showed that half of voters viewed the elections as an opportunity to reject Trump, while 70% wanted Congress to provide stronger checks on presidential power.
What happens next?
A Democratic takeover of both chambers could put several of Trump’s contentious policies in the crosshairs. Trump has vowed to act as “Mr. Veto” but appeared more open to cooperation in an interview with The New York Times.
With the wins, the blue will gain greater power to investigate Trump's administration, scrutinize government policies, and block presidential appointments.
The Dems can also:
- Reverse Trump tariffs.
- Tighten oversight of AI companies and prediction markets.
- Scrutinize the Trump family's business dealings and growing crypto ventures.
The results also usher in divided government for Trump's final two years in office, creating fresh challenges for his legislative agenda.