US voters head to polls to deliver midterm verdict on Trump

American voters flocked to polling stations on Tuesday to cast their ballots in the midterm elections, aiming to pass judgment on the initial two years of President Donald Trump's second term. Recent surveys and nonpartisan analysts indicated that Democrats are likely to claim victory in the House of Representatives, while the outcome of the Senate race remains uncertain.

The contest for the Senate is unfolding across nearly ten closely contested statewide races, predominantly in Republican strongholds. History suggests that Trump's Republican party faces an uphill battle, as they have lost ground in Congress in all but two midterm elections since the end of World War Two. President Trump's approval rating is currently near its lowest point, a decline attributed to widespread voter dissatisfaction over the conflict in Iran and the subsequent surge in fuel prices.

It is clear that this year's election is dominated by Trump, the preeminent U.S. political figure of the past decade. During a televised interview on Tuesday morning, Trump confidently touted his accomplishments in Venezuela, a sentiment that resonated with his supporters who have been encouraged to "pretend I'm on the ballot" by Democratic leaders.