US Midterm Elections Serve as Referendum on Donald Trump

The United States held midterm elections on November 3, 2026, to renew the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the U.S. Senate. The elections served as a referendum on the performance of Donald Trump, with voters citing the cost of living, immigration, and military action against Iran as primary motivators. While Republicans entered the cycle with slim majorities in both chambers, Democrats sought to reclaim control to establish checks on the executive branch.

Voting activity was marked by high turnout and logistical tensions. Oregon recorded its highest midterm early ballot returns since 2000, and Los Angeles County reported turnout outpacing 2022 levels. In Virginia, voters decided on federal seats and three constitutional amendments regarding abortion, marriage, and felony rights. Meanwhile, the Trump administration faced legal setbacks when the Supreme Court of the United States rejected a Justice Department demand to set aside 20,000 mail-in ballots in California. California Attorney General Rob Bonta condemned these actions as federal interference in state elections.

Early results showed a mixed outcome. Republicans saw success with the reelection of Senator Ashley Moody in Florida, while Democrats secured victories for Senator Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Governor Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania. President Trump criticized Fox News on Truth Social for declining ratings and stated in an interview that while the U.S. remains "locked and loaded" regarding Iran, there are no immediate plans for strikes. Final results for several high-profile races in Ohio and Georgia remained too close to call as counting continued.