US midterms: Democrats projected to win Congress in major setback for Trump

US midterm elections have delivered a major setback for President Donald Trump and his Republican Party, with Democrats projected to win control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, according to media projections. The victory reflects widespread voter dissatisfaction with living costs, tariffs, and Trump's policy towards Iran, which has led to soaring fuel prices.

Trump, despite his history of questioning election results, expressed willingness to accept the results, vowing to work with the Democrats. However, he quickly signaled his intention to veto any laws passed by the Democratic-controlled Congress, as evidenced by a picture of a red baseball cap he posted on social media.

The Democrats' breakthroughs came in key states such as Kansas and Iowa, which have not elected a Democratic senator since 1932 and 2008, respectively. In Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Ohio, Republican candidates were defeated despite Trump's efforts to rally his supporters. Texas saw Democrat James Talarico oust a Trump-backed Senate candidate, while Gina Hinojosa unseated Republican Governor Greg Abbott.

Democrats also protected key Senate seats, including those held by Jon Ossoff in Georgia and an open seat in New Hampshire. Republicans had held a 53-47 Senate majority, but the Democratic gain of six seats was sufficient to project a takeover. The six-seat Democratic gain allowed for investigations into alleged corruption and the President's administration, as well as the ability to block Trump's legislative agenda and judicial appointments.

For many voters, the central concern was Trump's economic stewardship, with issues such as rising rent, groceries, utility bills, and property taxes cited as major concerns. The Democratic victory is seen as a strong repudiation of Trump and his policies, with analysts identifying an upset in Indiana as a warning of a much wider Democratic advance.