Trump's 'Pretend I'm on the Ballot' Backfires as Republicans Lose House and Senate

President Donald Trump suffered a decisive defeat in the 2026 midterm elections, as voters he urged to "pretend I'm on the ballot" instead voted against his party, costing Republicans control of both the House and Senate. Democrats flipped at least seven Senate seats, including historic victories in Texas, Maine, and Kansas, while also capturing governorships and state legislatures nationwide. Trump blamed Fox News and Republican candidates for the losses, despite previously claiming his presence would guarantee wins. The results followed one of the most expensive election cycles ever, with Republican groups spending $5.45 billion on advertising. Trump conceded Tuesday night, congratulating Democrats, but insisted he was not on the ballot and would have won in a landslide if he had been.