Trump Congratulates Democrats on Midterm Wins, Says He “Wasn’t on the Ballot”

The White House in Washington (file photo). Photo: Harrison Keely / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).

President Donald Trump congratulated Democrats early Wednesday after they won control of both the House and the Senate, while arguing on social media that Republicans would have done better if he had been on the ballot, Forbes reported.

What Trump said

Trump congratulated Democrats on their wins in a call with Fox News early Wednesday, Forbes reported. On Tuesday night he wrote on Truth Social: “I wasn’t on the Ballot.” He added that Republicans would have won in a landslide if he had been.

After the AP projected Democrats would take the Senate, Trump said he would weigh in like a pundit on why candidates won and lost, according to Forbes. He blamed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s defeat on Abbott becoming a “RINO,” or Republican in name only. Democrat Gina Hinojosa beat Abbott, NBC News projected.

In October, Trump had said he would accept the midterm results as long as the elections were honest, Forbes reported.

Iran decision looms after the vote

Trump had repeatedly said there would be no new attack on Iran before the midterms, Reuters reported on Nov. 2, while also saying a deal with Tehran “could happen.” Our latest Iran war report details his comments on a possible “heavy hit” and the Qeshm Island strikes.

What changes for Trump in January

Democrats take control of both chambers on Jan. 3, 2027. That gives them subpoena power, control of spending bills and the ability to block Trump’s legislative priorities. House Democrats have said they will push to roll back tariffs and end the Iran war, as our report on the new House majority’s agenda explains. Trump keeps his veto and broad authority over foreign policy.

See every call on our 2026 election tracker and Trump’s closing midterm message from Election Day.

Sources

• Forbes: Trump congratulates Democrats, says he accepts election results
• Reuters via Investing.com: Iranians have left Doha talks, draft proposal circulated