Midterms 2026: Democrats win Congress, a major setback for Donald Trump

The Democrats won the majority in both chambers of the US Congress after the mid-term elections of 3 November 2026. The RTBF, L-Express and franceinfo converge on this result, also announced by the Associated Press (AP). Donald Trump thus lost his parliamentary support for the last two years of his term. These victory announcements precede the official certification of results. [S1] [S4] [S6] [S42]

A double majority, accounts still evolving

In the consulted version of his article published on 4 November, franceinfo counts at least 225 democratic seats in the House of Representatives, beyond the 218 required by the majority. The Express mentioned 221 in its 7:42 point. In the Senate, BFMTV reports a count attributed to the PA of 54 Democratic seats against 44 Republicans, with two races still undecided, in Alaska and Mississippi. These figures describe successive states of counting, not a definitive distribution. [S2] [S4] [S6]

The projection of approximately 248 Democratic seats in the House, reported by the International Courier after NBC News, falls into another category: it estimates the final outcome, rather than the only seats already allocated. The PA states that it announces a winner when its analysis of votes and election data indicates that no opponent can fill his or her gap. Certification usually takes place several weeks later. [S20] [S42]

The magnitude of the Republican setback is also seen in its geography. The PA announces democratic conquests in the Senate in Kansas, Iowa, Texas, Ohio, Maine and the two Carolines. James Talarico is given winner in Texas; Adam Hamilton won Kansas, who had no longer elected a democratic senator since 1932, according to franceinfo. The Democrats also retain their disputed seats in Georgia and Michigan. [S6] [S42]

The progress also affects the executive of the states: Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, Amy Acton in Ohio, Rob Sand in Iowa and Gina Hinojosa in Texas win governor positions held by Republicans. These victories complete the national picture, without entering into the calculation of the majorities of Congress. [S4] [S42]

Trump accepts the results, not responsibility for the setback

Donald Trump is willing to accept the verdict of the ballot box and work with the Democrats. According to 20 Minutes, he greeted Fox News their "good job," while refusing to consider this defeat as directed against him. The PA notes the contrast with its campaign calls asking voters to act as if it appeared on the ballots. Accepting the result and assuming political responsibility for it therefore remain two distinct positions. [S9] [S42]

The President mentioned possible cooperation on immigration, reports the RTBF, but maintained the threat of the veto against certain laws. He also stated that he intended to reject the democratic proposals which he deemed unacceptable before negotiating. This openness is therefore neither a government agreement nor a guarantee of compromise. [S1] [S4]

The cost of living is central to the first explanations of the vote. RTBF underlines the discontent of fuel and war in Iran. The PA reported that its election investigation revealed a challenge to the administration for high prices and a demand for increased control of the President. Trump himself recognizes a partial role of the conflict in defeat. However, these elements do not allow a single motivation to be attributed to all voters. [S1] [S4] [S42]

A stronger counter-power, not limitless power

The new legislature is due to take office on January 3. The Democrats will then be able to block legislative proposals, reject appointments and investigate the administration. For citizens, the challenge is concrete: to make public decisions more subject to scrutiny and to hold their officials accountable. USAGov recalls that the separation of powers aims to prevent their concentration in the hands of a person or group. However, the President will retain his veto. [S4] [S41] [S42]

Hakeem Jeffries promises to hold to account what he calls corruption. This political accusation is not an established individual guilt. The Morning refers to parliamentary inquiries that may be based on summons of witnesses and requests for documents: their scope will depend on the facts established, not on the mere alternation. [S32] [S33]

For households, the consequences remain to be realized. Morning reports democratic priorities concerning Medicaid, tariffs and the Iranian conflict. These are announced objectives, not already achieved improvements in access to care or purchasing power. Their realization will depend on the texts adopted and the compromises with the White House. The new leaders of the Congress will also be held accountable for their decisions and results. [S1] [S32]