04.11.2026 19:00
In the US midterm congressional elections, while the Democrats reached 54 seats in the Senate and 228 seats in the House of Representatives, in the House of Representatives the Democrats won 231 seats and the Republicans 144 seats. After US President Donald Trump's historic defeat in the elections, a striking post came from the White House. The post, which featured a photo of Trump resting his hands on the table and looking sternly, included the statement, "Trump is still your president."
In the U.S. midterm elections for Congress, the majority in the House of Representatives shifted to the Democratic Party. According to the election results, the Democrats reached 235 seats in the House and gained control, while the Republicans managed to retain their majority in the Senate. Thus, the one-party governance structure in Congress during President Donald Trump’s first term in office came to an end.
"TRUMP IS STILL YOUR PRESIDENT"
After the election results, a striking social media post came from the White House. A photo of Trump with his hands on the table looking determined was shared with the note "Trump is still your president." This post was interpreted as a message that the administration would continue resolutely despite the loss in the House.
In the U.S. midterm elections, while the start and end times of voting varied from state to state, Indiana and Kentucky became the first two states in the country where polls closed and vote counting began.
Starting at 7:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, polls closed in Florida, Georgia, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia. After that, as polling stations continued to close one after another in the following hours, starting with the eastern states, voting at all polling stations came to an end when polls closed in Alaska at 09:00 Turkish time.
U.S. MIDTERM ELECTIONS
The American people went to the polls for governorships and other local positions in their states, as well as for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate.
In the U.S. electoral system, all members of the 435-seat House of Representatives go to the polls every two years—one election being the general election in which the U.S. president is elected, and the other being the midterm election. In the 100-member Senate wing of Congress, one-third of the senators, who are elected for six-year terms, are renewed by election every two years.
CURRENT SITUATION IN CONGRESS
Currently in the United States, Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats 45 in the Senate. The two independents side with the Democrats on many issues. In the House of Representatives, Republicans hold 218 seats, Democrats 214, and independents 1, while 2 seats are vacant.
MORE THAN 59 MILLION AMERICANS VOTED EARLY
High turnout in the midterm elections drew attention. According to data from the University of Florida’s Election Lab, more than 59 million Americans voted before Election Day.
While there was crowding at polling centers across the United States, the economy, the cost of living, immigration policies, the Iran war, and the Trump administration’s policies were influential in voters’ decisions.
Initial exit polls showed that the economy and the future of American democracy were among voters’ most important agenda items.
HAKEEM JEFFRIES AND ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ RE-ELECTED
House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez managed to retain their seats in the elections.
Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib from Michigan was also re-elected, defeating her Republican rival James D. Hooper.
Tlaib has represented Michigan’s 13th District in the House of Representatives since 2019.
In the 435-seat House of Representatives, a party must reach at least 218 seats to gain a majority.
TRUMP ACCEPTED THE DEFEAT
U.S. President Donald Trump, after the losses suffered by Republicans in the midterm elections, pointed out that he was not a candidate. Trump, who made a statement on his Truth Social account regarding the election results, argued that Republicans would have achieved a very different result if he had also been in the race. Trump assessed the Republican Party’s election performance through his own candidacy, using the words, "If I had been on the ballot, we would have won by a large margin."
According to Axios of the U.S. press, in a statement made in the hours when Democrats began making significant gains in the elections, Trump claimed that Republicans would win a landslide victory if he were on the ballot. Trump’s remarks also aligned with the calls he made to Republican voters throughout the election campaign. The U.S. president had asked voters at rallies before the elections to go to the polls as if he were also a candidate.
"I AM ABSOLUTELY READY TO ACCEPT THE ELECTION RESULTS"
Trump, whose willingness to accept the election results was also a matter of curiosity, said in a statement to The New York Times, "I am absolutely ready to accept the election results." This message from Trump regarding the election results came at a time when Democrats were making significant gains in Congress. The possibility that Republicans could lose their advantage, especially in the House of Representatives, brought to the agenda the question of how relations between the White House and Congress would take shape for the remainder of the Trump administration’s second term.
GREEN LIGHT FOR WORKING WITH DEMOCRATS
Trump also made statements following the election results regarding the possibility of working together with Democrats. The U.S. President signaled that he is open to compromise with his political rivals and is ready to work with Democrats.
MINUTES LATER, THE 'VETO' CHALLENGE CAME
Minutes after these remarks, Trump issued a 'veto' challenge. Asked about the possibility of Democrats taking control of Congress, Trump recalled the president's power to veto laws and said, 'The ultimate power is in my hands. It is called a veto.'
Trump, stating that he was ready to block bills Democrats prepare when necessary, said he would be pleased to be called 'Mr. Veto' because of this approach. Arguing that veto power could force Democrats to make a deal with him, Trump said, 'Historically, you use the veto for a few months, and then they come and say, We need to make a deal.'
THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN GOVERNOR IN THE U.S. WAS ELECTED
Along with the congressional elections, gubernatorial elections were also held in some states.
Democratic Party candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms won the gubernatorial election in Georgia, becoming the first Black woman governor in U.S. history.
DEMOCRATS CLOSE TO MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Republicans had retained their majority in the House of Representatives after the 2024 elections. However, over the two years that passed, the gap between the two parties narrowed due to resignations and vacated seats.
As of November 1, the House of Representatives had 218 Republicans, 214 Democrats and one independent member, while two seats were vacant.
In the 435-seat House, 218 seats are required for a simple majority. Therefore, for Democrats to gain a majority, they need to win at least 4 more seats in addition to their current seats.
The majority in the House of Representatives is important for determining the Speaker of the House, setting the legislative agenda, budget negotiations, and managing congressional committees.
If Democrats win the majority, it is assessed that many critical issues, including the process for Trump's impeachment, could come onto the House agenda.
NECK-AND-NECK RACE IN THE SENATE
Before the election, Republicans held the majority in the 100-member Senate with 53 seats, while Democrats had a total of 47 seats, together with 2 independent senators who caucus with them.
According to this picture, for Democrats to take the Senate majority, they need to win at least 4 seats held by Republicans.
In the Senate elections, races in states such as Georgia, Michigan, Maine, Alaska, North Carolina, Ohio and Iowa are being closely watched.
While Democrats are trying to protect their seats in Georgia and Michigan, which Trump won in the 2024 presidential election, Republicans aim to protect their seat in Maine, which Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris won.
WHY IS CONTROL OF THE SENATE IMPORTANT?
The U.S. Senate is of great importance for the presidential administration due to its powers such as confirming federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, and senior administration officials, and evaluating international agreements.
However, gaining a majority in the Senate is not enough to pass every bill. In many regulations, the support of 60 senators is required to end debate.
Due to the method known as 'filibuster' in the American political system, senators can delay the legislative process by speaking at the podium for a long time. This can make it difficult for the party with the majority in the Senate to pass some regulations.
HOW IS VOTING CARRIED OUT IN THE U.S.?
Although elections in the U.S. are held at the federal level, voting and vote-counting processes are largely carried out by state governments.
Voters can cast their votes by going to the polls on Election Day, voting early, or voting by mail under the rules set by their state.
In some states, mail-in ballots are automatically sent to voters, while in other states, those who want to vote by mail must apply in advance.
The requirement to show ID when voting, voter registration periods, and deadlines for accepting mail-in ballots also vary by state.
The issues of mail-in voting and ID requirements, which stand out in Trump's criticisms of the election system, continue to be debated in American public opinion.
ANNOUNCING FINAL RESULTS CAN TAKE DAYS
Since there is no common poll-closing time across the U.S., election results are announced at different times from east to west across the country.
Especially in states with a narrow vote margin, announcing final results can take several days due to the counting of mail-in votes and possible challenge processes.
While turnout is expected to be high in this year's congressional midterm elections, the political polarization between Trump supporters and opponents is assessed to be effective in driving voters to the polls.
In previous analyses reflected in U.S. media, it was stated that more than 43 million voters in 47 states and the capital Washington had voted early or sent their votes by mail. This figure indicated an increase of approximately 10 million compared with the same period in the 2022 midterm elections.
.