Trump blames Iran war as Democrats take House and Senate in US midterms
- Democrats won control of both the US House and Senate in Tuesday's midterm elections, routing Trump's Republicans.
- Trump told Fox News the Iran war played a part in the defeat but defended his record on Iran.
- He said he would accept the results and work with Democrats, but later posted a MAGA hat with the word 'VETO'.
Democrats have taken control of both the US House of Representatives and the Senate after routing President Donald Trump's Republican Party in Tuesday's midterm elections, according to results reported by Channels TV and Vanguard.
In his first reaction, Trump told Fox News in a phone interview that the war with Iran played a part in the loss. "I think a part of it was Iran, but at the same time, people understood the importance of what I've done with Iran," he said.
The result matters well beyond Washington. A US president facing a Congress controlled by the opposing party often finds it harder to pass budgets and laws, and foreign policy and trade decisions can shift. For Nigeria, that could touch everything from fuel prices to aid and security partnerships, though the sources do not say what specific policies Democrats will push.
Praise, then a warning
Trump had unusual praise for his rivals, telling Fox the Democrats did "a good job" and "fought hard." He also said there was a "mood in the air."
Yet he quickly spread the blame around. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said he was not on the ballot and that Republicans would have won "IN A LANDSLIDE" if he had been. He told The New York Times he was "absolutely willing to accept those results" and would work with the Democrats.
Hours later, he posted a picture of his red MAGA baseball cap with a single word: "VETO."
A White House official, quoted by AFP, questioned the quality of Republican candidates, saying Trump promoted many of them better than they promoted themselves. The official also said the White House mood was "defiant" and warned: "Buckle up."
Trump singled out Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who lost to Democrat Gina Hinojosa, saying Abbott would not have lost if he had not become a "RINO" — Republican In Name Only.
What happens next
Trump becomes a lame-duck president for the final two years of his second term, with Democrats controlling both chambers of Congress. There is speculation, reported by AFP, that he may resume large-scale military action against Tehran. The sources do not confirm any decision.
