Republicans suffer worst midterm loss in half a century after war and economy
Republicans suffer their worst midterm defeat since Watergate, losing the Senate and House after unpopular Middle East war and economic struggles.
Trump's Republicans lost control of both the Senate and House in Tuesday's midterms, dropping the national congressional vote by about 13 points, the worst result since Watergate. The defeat came despite record campaign fundraising, a favourable Supreme Court ruling on finance, and support from the world's richest man.
Inside accounts from more than 70 insiders reveal deep despair: six days before the election, Trump's chief pollster presented strategists with scenarios. Two main forces sank the party: Trump's Middle East war, which broke his no-new-wars promise and pushed petrol prices past $4 a gallon, and economic struggles that contradicted his lower-prices pledge.
An internal memo showed Democratic polling gains matched the war's active phases, shrinking only during ceasefire talks.
- 13 points
- Vote margin loss
- 400 million dollars
- Campaign fund invested
- past 4 dollars a gallon
- Petrol price peak
- Watergate
- Worst result since
Why it mattersThe scale of defeat reshapes US politics ahead of 2028 and significantly weakens Trump's control over his own party.
AustraliaUS political shift affects Australia's security partnerships and America's ability to project regional influence in Indo-Pacific affairs.
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