GOP loses at least 35 seats in 2026 midterms

Democratic candidates took at least seven Senate seats and 28 House seats in the 2026 midterm elections held this week. With votes still being counted as of Wednesday, the party holds a clear advantage in both chambers of Congress.

President Donald Trump addressed the results from the White House. He stood in the ballroom, a space that is currently under construction, and spoke about the room’s long-term value. "It’s going to be here for many, many years and serving our country well," he said. Trump emphasized that his supporters continue to show tremendous love for him despite the election outcome.

Vice President JD Vance blamed the conflict with Iran for the party’s performance. In a lengthy post on the platform X, Vance wrote, "The reason we lost is the war." He has opposed the conflict with Iran since it began. Trump agreed with this assessment while standing in the unfinished ballroom. He noted that the war drove gasoline prices up in the short term. "And probably that’s probably it’s true," Trump said. He added that if he had to do it again, he would do it again because he believed it was the only answer to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

In several post-election interviews, Trump stated he is absolutely willing to accept the election results. He said he will work with the congressional Democrats who won the majority. However, he also said he will use his veto power to block Democratic legislation. He explained that this strategy will force Democrats to negotiate with the White House to find a path forward.