Trump Deflects Blame as Democrats Make Major Midterm Gains

Democrats made sweeping gains in the November 3 midterms, with projections pointing to their taking control of both the House and Senate. Their victories included Senate races in North Carolina and South Carolina, while Democrats also won in Georgia and New Hampshire.

Voters Reject Trump’s Record as White House Dodges Blame

The midterm results delivered a sharp rebuke to President Donald Trump, with Democrats projected to take control of both chambers of Congress. They won key Senate contests in North Carolina and South Carolina and prevailed in Georgia and New Hampshire.

The White House’s response was to shift responsibility to Republican candidates and argue that Trump was not running. The president claimed Republicans would have won decisively had he been on the ballot, despite having campaigned extensively for GOP candidates.

That explanation sidesteps the concerns that helped fuel Democratic gains. Voters were frustrated by the Iran conflict and its effect on household costs, including higher gas prices. The war also disappointed some Trump supporters who had expected him to avoid new military conflicts.

Rather than signal a softer approach, a White House official said Trump would intensify his fight against Democrats. The results leave Republicans facing questions about the strength of their coalition and how the party can move forward beyond Trump.

Democrats Win Congress as Trump Blames Weak GOP Candidates

Democrats are poised to take control of the House and Senate after a powerful showing in the November 3 midterms. Their victories included Senate races in North Carolina and South Carolina, as well as wins in Georgia and New Hampshire.

The results do not prove that voters rejected President Donald Trump personally, the White House argued. Trump said Republicans would have won by a wide margin if he had been on the ballot, while an official said he had promoted many GOP candidates more effectively than they promoted themselves.

Some Republicans also pointed to candidate weaknesses. In South Carolina, critics questioned whether the Republican nominee was prepared to handle foreign-policy issues, an especially challenging subject amid public concern over the Iran conflict.

The White House showed no sign of retreating from its confrontation with Democrats. An official said Trump’s determination to oppose the left would grow, while the president suggested he would use his veto power against legislation from a Democratic-led Congress.