US voters unleash blue wave, handing Congress to Democrats and rebuking Trump

Democrats are projected to take full control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate following a sweeping midterm election on Tuesday. According to Reuters Business via SCMP, the results represent a "blue wave" and a sharp rebuke of President Donald Trump. ABC News (US) reports that the Democratic victories were propelled by discontent regarding the economy and the president, noting that Democrats flipped at least six Senate seats and at least a dozen House seats, including wins in traditionally Republican strongholds.

The election results included several historic breakthroughs in conservative states. In Kansas, Adam Hamilton defeated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall, becoming the first Democrat elected to the Senate from the state since 1932, according to Dawn and Free Malaysia Today. Free Malaysia Today reports that Democrats also won in South Carolina, Texas, and Iowa.

In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa denied Governor Greg Abbott a fourth term, while James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to ABC News (US) and Free Malaysia Today. Additionally, Free Malaysia Today reports that Democrat Sherrod Brown claimed a seat in Ohio previously held by Vice President JD Vance.

Voters expressed dissatisfaction with the economy, rising inflation, fuel prices, and the war with Iran. An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll indicated that two weeks before the election, Trump's approval rating was 37% and his disapproval rating was 62%. Dawn reports that the Democratic control of Congress provides the power to block Trump’s agenda and investigate alleged corruption.

While Trump told The New York Times he is willing to accept the results and work with Democrats, he later posted a photo of a red baseball cap with the word "VETO" on social media, according to Dawn.

Brief written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP, ABC News (US), Dawn, Business Standard IN, Free Malaysia Today — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.