Trump Seeks to Shift Focus After Democrats’ Midterm Gains, Iran War Fallout
WHO:
France 24 - US President Donald Trump praised Democrats after their midterm election victory, while declining to accept personal responsibility for the Republican Party’s defeat.
France 24 - Trump said, “congratulations to the Democrats. They did a good job,” and said they had “been looking for this one for 11 years.”
France 24 - Trump said, “I can work with them on many things,” referring to Democrats who would control Congress.
France 24 - Trump blamed Texas Governor Greg Abbott, calling him a “RINO” (“Republican In Name Only”), and said he would not have lost if he had not become one. Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseated Abbott.
France 24 - A White House official said, “Candidate quality matters,” and said Trump promoted many candidates better than they promoted themselves.
France 24 - The White House official warned, “President Trump’s resolve to stop the Radical Left is only going to become stronger. Buckle up.”
Vox - The Logoff is a daily newsletter about the Trump administration; the article invited readers to subscribe.
WHAT:
France 24 - Democrats won the midterm elections, gaining control of both the House and Senate; the result will shape the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
France 24 - Trump said he accepted the election results and threatened to veto Democratic legislation: “They can send over, you know, 50 different great bills … and I send them back with a nice stamp – ‘veto.’”
France 24 - Trump posted on Truth Social that he was “going to become a political pundit” and explain why Republicans lost. He also wrote, “I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!”
France 24 - Trump had urged Republicans during the campaign to “pretend I’m on the ballot.”
France 24 - Trump had campaigned for Republican candidates nationwide and praised Ohio Senate candidate Jon Husted.
France 24 - Trump and senior cabinet members watched election results at a reception in the White House East Room. Some staff ate takeout from The Cheesecake Factory.
France 24 - The White House said Democrats would experience “buyer’s remorse” if gas prices fell after the Iran conflict was resolved.
WHERE:
France 24 - The election results were in the United States; the White House reception was held in its East Room.
France 24 - The article names Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Ohio Senate candidate Jon Husted.
WHY:
France 24 - Trump said the Iran war contributed to Republicans’ defeat, adding, “I think a part of it was Iran.”
France 24 - The article reported that the Iran war and resulting rise in oil prices were unpopular with voters.
HOW:
France 24 - Trump said he could use executive power to veto legislation passed by the Democratic-controlled Congress.
France 24 - The White House suggested Trump might resume large-scale military action against Tehran; the article described this as speculation.
(UPDATED November 5, 2026 00:11 UTC)
Democrats captured both chambers of Congress, dealing Republicans a major midterm defeat. President Trump praised Democrats but rejected blame, faulting candidates and the Iran war. He threatened to veto Democratic legislation and blamed Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s defeat.