Democrats win control of the House and Senate in US midterm elections

Summary

Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections held on Tuesday, taking the House of Representatives and the Senate from the Republicans. Democrats reached the 218-seat threshold needed for a House majority. Reporting says they capitalised on dissatisfaction with Trump's leadership and the economic fallout from the war with Iran. The result shapes the last two years of President Donald Trump's presidency, with consequences for US-China relations and global trade, and gives the opposition power to block the administration's agenda. Chinese social media users have voiced mixed views, criticising American politics while debating what Trump's political future means for China.

Timeline

1. South China Morning Post

   3 Nov 2026, 23:00 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that the midterm elections handed control of Congress to the Democrats, shaping the last two years of Donald Trump's presidency with major consequences for US-China relations, global trade and the war with Iran.

2. South China Morning Post

   4 Nov 2026, 07:11 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress on Tuesday, reaching the 218-seat House majority threshold, and that Chinese social media users have voiced mixed views on the result.