DEMOCRAT GAINS: Trump hand-picked Senate candidates, Republicans paid the price

Hand-picked Senate candidates backed by former US President Donald Trump suffered a series of defeats in key races in South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas and Michigan. The losses marked a significant blow to the Republican Party, as Democrats gained control of the chamber. The results suggest a growing voter frustration with Trump's leadership, economic policies, and interference in Republican primaries.

Trump's political influence was exposed as voters rejected his endorsed candidates in all four races, with Democrat Annie Andrews winning in North Carolina, James Talarico in Michigan, and Attorney-General Ken Paxton in Texas. Former US Representative Mike Rogers, Trump's choice in Michigan, also lost in his bid to become the first Muslim senator.

The Democratic victory was particularly surprising in South Carolina, which had not elected a Democratic senator since 1998 and had previously voted for President Trump by a substantial margin. Trump had endorsed Darline Graham, sister of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, in the race.

Veteran Republican strategist Doug Heye pointed to voter frustration over high prices caused by tariffs and the war in Iran, while also noting that Trump's attempts to dictate primary matchups and push aside conservative figures weakend the party's electoral prospects. Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory criticized Trump for alienating working-class voters with his interventions in primaries.

Trump responded defiantly to the election results, claiming he would have won in a landslide if he had been on the ballot. However, multiple sources indicated that the president was aware of polling data suggesting Republicans would lose both the House of Representatives and Senate, leading to a nationwide campaign to salvage the party's prospects.