Trump faces political reckoning after Democrats sweep House and Senate

President Trump faces a political reckoning after Democrats won sweeping majorities in both the House and Senate, threatening his agenda for the final two years of his presidency. The coalition that elected him in 2024 collapsed in Tuesday's midterm elections. Democratic victories included red strongholds like South Carolina and Texas, with the party holding a 54-44 Senate majority and a 249-153 House lead. Trump blamed the losses on his absence from the ballot, but Republicans called it a clear repudiation, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis describing it as an "extinction-level event" for the party. In his first public appearance after the defeat, Trump focused on signing a beam for his under-construction White House ballroom, dismissing Cabinet shakeup speculation. Critics argued the focus on vanity projects undermines his legacy, while some advisers noted he still has two years to recover, though divisions within the party remain deep.