Edition · Wed 04 Nov 2026
Politics Desk
'I Wasn't on the Ballot': Trump Shrugs Off the Rout, Blames His Candidates and Fox News
President Trump said he would accept the midterm results and work with Democrats, but insisted the losses were not a verdict on him, pointing instead to weak candidates, a hostile mood and his once-favorite television channel.
By Rachel · Edited by Chanan Zevin - Chief Editor and Head of Desks
Published
A long night in the East Room
As the results rolled in on Tuesday night, President Trump watched from the East Room of the White House, where aides described the mood as tense. For three hours he went silent on social media while Democrats won race after race. Then, just after 10:30 p.m., he posted his verdict: "I wasn't on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!"
A long night in the East Room
In a live telephone interview with Fox News, he was even more direct. "But I don't view it as a hit on me," he said. "We've had the greatest two years in the history of the presidency in terms of the economy, in terms of all the things that we've done." He later called the outcome only a "little surprise" and blamed a "mood in the air."
Blame, then conciliation
Mr. Trump's account of the defeat shifted through the night. At times he faulted the Republicans on the ballot, saying they "just didn't inspire the people to get out and vote." He singled out Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who lost to Democrat Gina Hinojosa, calling him a Republican in name only. Shortly before midnight he announced he would become "a Political Pundit" on why candidates won and lost.
Blame, then conciliation
Yet many of the night's biggest losers were his own picks, from Darline Graham in South Carolina to Ken Paxton in Texas, Michael Whatley in North Carolina and Mike Collins in Georgia. Defending his endorsement of Mr. Paxton over Senator John Cornyn, the president said simply, "I had no choice."
Blame, then conciliation
He also aimed his anger at Fox News, criticizing the network's coverage on his social media account as the scale of the defeat became clear. His allies in conservative media, meanwhile, blamed nearly everything except the president.
Accepting the result
In an interview with two reporters from a New York newspaper, Mr. Trump said he would accept the election results, a statement that eased fears among investors and officials of a prolonged legal fight. He attributed the losses to the fact that his name was not on the ballot and said he was willing to work with Democrats.
Accepting the result
"You know, I have a lot of friends that are Democrats. Believe it or not, I've already spoken to some of them," he said, without naming them. He made similar promises of bipartisanship after Republicans lost the House in 2018, but they came to little.
No regrets on Iran
On the issue many Republicans see as most damaging, the war with Iran, the president was unrepentant. Asked whether he had regrets, he said, "I don't think about it. I did the right thing. I would have done it again." He described the war as only a "piece" of the result.
No regrets on Iran
With Democrats now in control of both chambers, Mr. Trump faces a sharply different Washington for the final two years of his term: committee investigations, stalled nominations and a Congress that can refuse to fund his priorities. Whether he chooses confrontation or compromise will shape not only his legacy but his party's chances in 2028.