First polls close in pivotal US midterm elections

Midterm polls closed on Tuesday in the United States, with Democrats in the lead to gain control of the House and possibly the Senate. This result could significantly weaken Donald Trump's presidency and limit his power for the remainder of his term. Republicans would lose the House if Democrats gained control, enabling the Democrats to obstruct Trump's legislative agenda and conduct extensive investigations into his administration.

If Democrats also failed to secure the Senate, it would further hinder his ability to appoint Supreme Court justices and senior officials. The election was a critical decision on Trump's tenure, occurring amid growing discontent against Republicans due to rising living costs and the ongoing war against Iran. Of the 435 House seats, Democrats needed to secure only three seats to gain control, while in the Senate, they required a net four-seat majority.

Trump's popularity has plummeted, with his approval rating near the low 30s, positioning him among the least favored presidents in history. Inflation, tariffs, and fuel costs resulting from the Middle East conflict have exacerbated Americans' financial struggles, making affordability and curbing Trump administration policies the primary concerns for voters.

During his final TV appearance, Trump defended his administration, asserting that he had revitalized the country through immigration, the Iran war, and tariffs. He proclaimed, "We're great now. We were terrible two years ago." However, Republicans argue that Trump's tax cuts and anti-immigrant stance would benefit voters, while Democrats portray Democratic candidates as far-left radicals, a narrative that has likely resonated with some voters.

Despite Trump's final public appearance focusing minimally on the election, he appeared confident that Republicans were in a stronger position. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer deemed Trump's closing remarks "pathetic." The Senate is a challenging terrain for Democrats, as Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. However, the growing discontent has pushed the battleground into traditionally conservative states such as Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Ohio, and Alaska.

Democrats must defend competitive seats, including in Michigan, where a contentious race saw congresswoman Haley Stevens endorse Republican Mike Rogers over their Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed. Polls estimated 241 House seats for Democrats and 194 for Republicans, while Senate Democratic leader Schumer predicted a narrow 52-48 Democratic Senate majority.

The campaign was the most expensive in history, with Trump ally Elon Musk contributing nearly half a billion dollars to Republican causes. There is a significant concern that Republicans, including Trump himself, might refuse to accept the results if they lose. Observers have previously alleged widespread voter fraud and pointed fingers at Democrats for alleged cheating, but there is no evidence to support these claims.

Furthermore, voting machines malfunctioned in a contentious House race in New York state, leading right-wing influencers to disseminate unfounded allegations of fraud while election officials insisted that all ballots would be counted.