Republicans Suffer Midterm Defeat as Trump Influence Wanes
Republicans lost numerous seats in the Tuesday midterm elections, prompting calls for the party to abandon Donald Trump and return to limited-government conservatism.
Republicans suffered a widespread electoral defeat in the Tuesday midterm elections, losing numerous seats across the United States. The results ensure the Democratic Party will hold a legislative majority in Congress starting in January.
Donald Trump appeared defeated on Wednesday following the collapse of the populist right. Editors at The Dispatch characterized the results as the beginning of the end of the Trump era, suggesting the defeat creates an opportunity for Republican lawmakers to abandon his influence and return to the constitutional order and limited-government conservatism.
Public reactions to the results highlight deep divisions. Some critics described Trump's governance as a complete and total disaster and urged the Republican Party to abandon crony capitalism. Other critics focused on the administration's failures regarding abortion, euthanasia, and the situation in Ukraine, citing a loss of international goodwill.
