Trump cites candidate weakness and Fox News bias in 2026 GOP midterm defeat

President Donald Trump attributed the Republican Party's midterm losses to weak candidate selections and unfavorable media coverage, rather than voter dissatisfaction with his administration. He made these remarks during a 22-minute interview with Fox News on Tuesday evening, shortly after Democrats were projected to seize control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The White House host shifted his focus quickly during the broadcast. He first pointed to the network itself, stating on Truth Social just before midnight that Fox News "bears responsibility for these losses by constantly and consistently putting on the Dumocrat opposition, and worse." He added that the party would have won in a landslide if he had been on the ballot.

By the time the interview began, Trump had offered congratulations to the Democrats. He noted that the party had been seeking control for 11 years and finally achieved it. "I don't view it as a hit on me," he said. He argued that the economy during his two years in office represents the best performance in the history of the presidency.

Trump placed primary blame on the nominees. He explained that he endorsed some candidates primarily to maintain party unity, even if he did not personally get along with them. He claimed his supporters "didn't like the candidates" and that the nominees failed to "inspire" the MAGA base. He referenced campaign rallies held in the last 30 days in Republican strongholds, including South Carolina, Texas, and Kansas, where Democrats secured upsets.

The president acknowledged the financial impact of his recent conflict with Iran. He said voters "probably don't agree with the short-term consequences," citing higher gas prices. He described the situation as a short-term problem with long-term gains. He maintained that history would view his Middle East actions as more important than the election results from Tuesday.

Looking ahead to the final two years of his term, Trump said he is prepared to collaborate with the new House leadership. He stated he has many Democratic friends and spoke with five Democrats on Tuesday night. The group included two senators and three representatives, with three others expected to call him.

He warned, however, that he will use the presidential veto power frequently. "They will send over things that are insane and I will veto them," Trump said. He predicted that after a few months of vetoes, Democratic leaders would contact him to negotiate how to pass legislation. He concluded that the Democrats "fought hard" and did a good job in the election.