Democrats seize Congress as Trump accepts defeat in 2026 midterms

The Guardian reported that Democrats flipped seven Senate seats – in Kansas, Iowa, Texas, Maine, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina – and secured control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, delivering a major setback for former President Donald Trump.

The party’s gains leave several high‑profile House contests, including races in Colorado, Michigan, Maine, New York, California and North Carolina, still undecided.

Trump, described by the outlet as "uncharacteristically gracious," accepted his party’s loss, congratulated the Democrats and told The New York Times he was "absolutely willing to accept" the election results after months of attempts to shape the process through executive orders and the courts.

In gubernatorial races, Deb Haaland became the first Native American woman elected governor of New Mexico, while Keisha Lanca Bottoms made history as the first Black woman ever elected governor.

The Senate also saw a historic first: Abdul El‑Sayed, the victorious Democratic candidate in Michigan, became the first Muslim elected to the upper chamber.

The Guardian noted that while the overall picture points to a Democratic sweep, the final composition of Congress will hinge on the outcomes of the still‑open contests in the states listed above.

Why it matters

Control of Congress shifts legislative power to Democrats and marks several historic firsts in U.S. political representation, while the defeat signals a significant decline in Trump's influence over his party.

Key details

Location

United States · Americas

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

4 Nov 2026, 18:12 IST

Key names

Congress, Donald Trump’s Republican Party, Trump, Senate

Section

Politics

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianUS midterm elections 2026 live updates: Democrats take control of Congress in major setback for Trump 4 Nov, 18:12

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

Spotted an error? Request a correction · How this summary was produced