The blue wave is cresting: GOP braces for midterm wipeout

The GOP finds itself bracing for a historic midterm defeat, with a "blue wave" evident just hours into the election night. Republicans have already lost a Senate seat in South Carolina for the first time in nearly three decades, while Democrats have flipped three GOP House seats – enough to secure a majority if Republicans fail to make gains elsewhere.

The party's effort to retain control of Congress has been hampered by massive spending, including over $380 million from President Donald Trump's political operation. The war in Iran and ongoing economic discontent are factors contributing to the GOP's underperformance. Frustration with the administration and dissatisfaction with candidates like Darline Graham in South Carolina and Ken Paxton in Texas have further fueled the party's losses.

Trump's absence from the ballot is also cited as a contributing factor to the devastating electoral outcome.