Trump’s Veto Power Keeps Him in the Game After Republican Midterm Defeat

The Republican Party suffered a historic defeat in the 2026 US midterm elections, with Democrats projected to win control of both the House and Senate. President Trump congratulated Democrats on their victory but emphasized his veto power and attributed the loss to his absence from the ballot. Trump's congratulatory gesture is seen as a strategic political move rather than a concession, aiming to maintain decorum and leverage his veto authority in negotiations with the Democratic-controlled Congress. Voter dissatisfaction over inflation, living costs, and immigration enforcement contributed to the Republican base weakening, including shifts in traditionally red states like Texas. The results set up a divided government, likely leading to gridlock and partisan conflict in Washington. While some view the outcome as a major shift ahead of 2028, analysts caution that Republican establishment fractures, not ideological rejection, drove the losses, leaving future elections uncertain.