US midterm voters deliver rebuke to Trump
Democrats captured the Senate and House of Representatives, giving them the power to block legislation, launch investigations into Trump's administration and thwart his appointments.
In a historic turn of events during the US midterm elections, voters dealt a decisive blow to President Donald Trump's legacy, handing control of Congress to the Democrats. The dramatic shift marked the end of Trump's influence on US politics, as they secured both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The results were a direct reflection of widespread discontent among constituents, who expressed frustration over rising living costs, tariffs, and Trump's ongoing military conflict with Iran. The turmoil in the Middle East had contributed to soaring fuel prices, compounded by a deeply unpopular presidency.
Despite his notorious history of rejecting electoral defeats, Trump maintained a conciliatory tone, expressing willingness to accept the results. He praised the Democrats' efforts but sought to distance himself from the party's poor showing, distancing himself from the blame.
The night was characterized by Republican heartland Democrats flipping seats held by Republicans for decades, scoring significant victories in South Carolina, North Carolina, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Texas, and Maine. Remarkably, former logger Troy Jackson became the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Kansas in over 80 years, while Adam Hamilton, a Methodist minister, secured the seat from a Republican stronghold since 1932.
Maine witnessed a stunning upset when Democrat Troy Jackson defeated incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins. In Texas, Democrats not only won a Senate seat but also took control of the governor's mansion, putting an end to Republican rule after decades of dominance. Democrats also managed to retain key Senate seats, including in Georgia and New Hampshire, while marking a historic milestone in Michigan by electing Abdul El-Sayed as the first Muslim to serve in the upper chamber of Congress.
On the House front, Democrats expanded their majority across several states, including Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Arizona, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and New Jersey. Their gains spanned districts that had historically been under Trump's overwhelming control in previous elections.
Democrats also secured the governorship of Georgia, electing Keisha Lance Bottoms as the first Black woman governor in US history. Florida, however, saw a glimmer of consolation for the Republicans, as Trump-backed Byron Donalds became the state's first Black governor, alongside Ashley Moody retaining her Senate seat.
The international community reacted to the results with varying degrees of optimism and concern. Russia expressed hope that Trump would continue his efforts towards peace, while China indicated its willingness to continue working with the United States. However, Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remained unconvinced that the election results would bring about any significant shifts in US policy.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
