Democrats win control of Congress in US midterms as voters hand Trump a major loss

Summary

Democrats won control of both houses of Congress in the US midterm elections held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, a major setback for President Donald Trump. Reports say voters punished Trump over inflation, corruption, rising healthcare costs, record petrol prices and the Iran war. The party was on track for at least 54 Senate seats after upset wins in long-standing Republican strongholds including South Carolina, Texas and Kansas, and it was set to pick up dozens of House seats and gain a double-figure majority there. Trump's approval ratings had collapsed before the vote, and the result came weeks before a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi. When the new Congress convenes in January, Democrats will be able to block Trump's legislation, challenge spending on the Iran war and investigate his administration, leaving him a lame-duck president facing a far more constrained final two years in office. The day after the result, Trump was reported to be coming to terms with two years of political limits.

Timeline

1. CBC

   3 Nov 2026, 22:05 UTCSource ↗

   CBC reports in its live updates headline that Democrats take control of Congress as voters hand Trump a major loss in the US midterms.

2. South China Morning Post

   4 Nov 2026, 09:24 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that Democrats won control of both houses of Congress as US voters punished Trump over inflation, corruption and rising healthcare costs, with the party on track for at least 54 Senate seats and a double-figure House majority.

3. South China Morning Post

   4 Nov 2026, 10:00 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress as voters vented frustration over rising costs and the Iran war, and that they will be able to block Trump's agenda and investigate his administration from January.

4. Hindustan Times

   4 Nov 2026, 14:19 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that Trump's Republican Party suffered major midterm losses as Democrats flipped key seats and gained control of both chambers of Congress.

5. Al Jazeera

   4 Nov 2026, 14:42 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that Democrats made historic gains in the US midterms, dealing a major setback to President Donald Trump and taking control of Congress.

6. The Guardian

   4 Nov 2026, 18:37 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Democrats won a historic sweep of the US midterms, winning back Congress in a major setback for Trump, with Senate seats flipping in Texas, South Carolina and Kansas and voters citing the economy, cost of living and rising gas prices.

7. RFI

   4 Nov 2026, 20:08 UTCSource ↗

   RFI reports that Trump was coming to terms on Wednesday with two years of political impotence after Democrats won control of both houses of Congress in the midterm elections.

8. South China Morning Post

   4 Nov 2026, 21:24 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that Democrats will control both chambers when the new Congress convenes in January, able to block Trump's legislation, challenge Iran war spending and scrutinise his deals with Beijing.