Democrats retake control of the US Congress in a heavy blow to Trump

On Tuesday, the Democratic Party regained control of both the US House of Representatives and the Senate during the midterm elections, dealing a significant blow to President Donald Trump. The party secured a majority in the House shortly after 10 p.m. Eastern time, surpassing the 218 seats required. In the Senate, Democrats won the majority with victories in Iowa and held at least 53 out of 100 seats, pending results from Alaska and Mississippi.

This outcome marked only the seventh time since 1918 that the party in power lost both chambers in a midterm election.

The Democrats won seats in Republican strongholds such as Texas, Ohio, and Kansas, defeating incumbents Ken Paxton, Jon Husted, and Adam Hamilton, respectively. They also gained in Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Michigan, making history by electing Abdul El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, as the first Muslim senator in US history. In governor's races, Democrats won in Florida, California, and New Mexico, with firsts for Hispanic women and Native Americans in leadership positions.

Trump expressed surprise at the results, attributing the defeat to the Iran war and higher fuel prices. He stated his intention to accept the results and work with the opposition, though he vowed to veto new Congress laws. Former President Barack Obama hailed the vote as sending a clear message for a politics that unites rather than divides.

Meanwhile, China pledged continued cooperation with Washington, and Russia expected Trump to maintain his foreign policy. Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, commented on the American rejection of war. High voter turnout in this election reflected concerns over the cost of living, corruption, and the Iran war.