{
  "id": 17998854,
  "title": "US midterm elections 2026: Trump's grip on Congress hangs in the balance",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/us-midterm-elections-2026-trumps-grip-on-congress-hangs-in-the-balance",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-03T17:12:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/americas/us-midterm-elections-2026-trumps-grip-on-congress-hangs-in-the-balance-1.500734851"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As Americans head to the polls on Tuesday, the outcome of the midterm elections could significantly impact President Donald Trump's second term. Voters are grappling with rising prices and discontent over the Iran conflict, and they will decide whether to alter the balance of power in Washington. Democrats are cautiously optimistic, hoping discontent over Trump's perceived failure to address economic concerns will lead to lower Republican turnout.\n\nRepublicans, on the other hand, are banking on their financial advantage to counteract these factors. However, they are bracing for potential losses in the House and Senate. The margin of victory is slim in both chambers, with a net gain of four seats required in the Senate to secure the majority, and three in the House.\n\nAs of Monday, over 57 million votes had already been cast, surpassing early turnout from four years ago in many key states. Trump, despite his party's struggles when he's not running, has urged voters to perceive him as a candidate, even as many Republican candidates have distanced themselves from him. On Tuesday, Trump declared \"everything's going good\" and claimed inflation was resolved, despite data showing a 3.6% increase in consumer prices in September.\n\nMark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, expressed his confidence in Trump, citing his promise of $5,000 for every U.S. adult if Republicans retain control of Congress, as well as his stance on border policy and the Middle East conflict. In Raleigh, North Carolina, 57-year-old librarian James Moore voted for Democrats to challenge Trump's recent tax breaks and spending cuts bill, citing increased taxes and healthcare costs.\n\nTrump has been active in red states like Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas, where his party faces challenges. He has made false claims about voter fraud, filing lawsuits in Alaska and California. Democrats fear interference and voter intimidation, with the Justice Department threatening to prosecute election officials. Polling stations opened early Tuesday with minimal disruptions, though issues arose in New York's Westchester County with paper ballot machines.\n\nThe election could reshape the political landscape, potentially leading to investigations and impeachments if Democrats take control of even one chamber. Potential Republican targets include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and tech mogul Elon Musk, a former top Trump adviser. Strong Democratic performances could benefit potential presidential candidates like California Governor Gavin Newsom and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, while Vice President Mike Pence may face a more challenging political environment.",
  "summary": "Washington: Voters struggling with high prices and angry over the Iran war will decide Tuesday whether to drastically shift power in Washington in midterm elections that will serve as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term. Democrats were cautiously optimistic as they watched Republicans spend the campaign's final stretch pumping tens of millions of dollars into states and districts…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}