US midterm election tests Trump's presidency

Americans voted Tuesday in a midterm election widely seen as a referendum on President Donald Trump, with Democrats poised to potentially win control of Congress and curb his remaining two years in office. Polls suggest voter anger over inflation, fuel costs, and the Iran conflict could hand Democrats the House and possibly the Senate. All 435 House seats and 35 of 100 Senate seats are at stake, with Democrats needing only three House gains and a net four Senate seats to take both chambers. A Democratic victory would stall Trump's agenda and enable investigations, while a Senate loss would threaten his judicial appointments. Trump defended his record, citing immigration crackdowns and tariffs, but his approval rating hovers near the low 30s. More than 57 million Americans voted early, and the campaign drew over $11 billion in advertising. The Justice Department deployed roughly 1,000 election monitors across all 50 states for the first time, while Trump has repeatedly alleged voter fraud without evidence. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 Senate majority, but races in traditionally conservative states like Kansas and Texas have become competitive.