“Did a good job”: Trump criticizes Republicans, congratulates Democrats, saying “they fought hard”

President Donald Trump has congratulated Democrats on their midterm election win, saying “they did a good job,” while taking aim at his own Republican Party. The Associated Press called both chambers for the Democrats, with the upper chamber confirmed late Tuesday, and control of the lower chamber following in the early hours of Wednesday morning, as the party picked up more than two dozen House seats.

As per a report shared by Time, the win potentially sets up a new political dynamic in Washington. A president has not had to deal with a Congress completely controlled by the opposition since the final two years of Barack Obama’s presidency, a situation which now stands to make Congress a true counterweight to the White House and its agenda.

Trump, in a phone interview with Fox News, was candid about the outcome, saying the Democrats had genuinely earned it.

“I think the Democrats did a good job. I really do. They fought hard,” shared Trump.

Trump explains what cost Republicans the midterms:

In the aftermath of the midterm results, Trump was quick to point fingers, and one of his first targets was Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump derided Abbott, who lost the Texas governor race to Democrat Gina Hinojosa, saying Abbott “hadn’t become a RINO in the last six months,” using the acronym for “Republican in Name Only.”

Trump also made clear he felt his own presence on the ballot would have changed everything for the party.

“If I had been on the ballot, the Republicans would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!” he posted.

(The above reflects Trump’s personal views shared on Truth Social and does not represent the editorial position of the publication on the Texas governor’s race or its outcome.)

That said, Trump appeared willing to move forward. Speaking to The New York Times, he told the paper he was “absolutely willing to accept” the results, and even extended an olive branch to the opposing party.

“We’ll probably work something out,” he shared.

The 47th U.S. President also added that he would “look forward to working with” the Democrats.

Trump also acknowledged that rising petrol prices, tied to the ongoing war in Iran, played a role in the Republican Party’s midterm defeat. In his phone interview with Fox News, he argued voters broadly backed his actions against Iran but weren’t prepared to absorb the financial hit that came with it.

“I don’t think it’s the war. I think it’s a gasoline price. People agree with what I’m doing on Iran, but they really probably weren’t willing to do the short-term consequence of paying more for gasoline,” he said.

(Trump’s remarks linking the Iran conflict to voter behaviour reflect his own interpretation of the midterm results. The publication presents these statements as reported and takes no stance on the geopolitical situation described.)

Iran responds to US midterm results as world leaders share reactions to Democratic sweep:

As per a report shared by NBC News, the midterm defeat for the Republican Party was met with open satisfaction in Iran, which framed the results as a direct rejection of the war launched against it by the United States and Israel. The most pointed reaction came from Tehran, and it came quickly, with Iranian officials wasting little time in pointing to the soaring gas prices that had become a defining issue for American voters throughout the campaign.

Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who also serves as the country’s parliamentary speaker, took to X to share his response.

“Conscience or the cost of living, Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message,” shared Ghalibaf.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also issued a stark warning, adding that if the US government “betrays” the public on this issue, “it will learn our NO comes with a Nightmare.”

(The above reflects the personal statements of Iranian official Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and does not represent the views of the publication on the Iran conflict or the positions of any government involved.)

The Democratic sweep across both chambers drew a range of responses from elsewhere around the world. In Europe, the reaction was one of cautious restraint, with a broad sense that little may change in the increasingly strained relations between Washington and its allies. Ukraine, meanwhile, watched the results with measured optimism.

Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak, first deputy chair of parliament’s finance committee, also shared his opinions.

“A new reality is beginning in the States, hopefully a better one for Ukraine,” shared Yaroslav Zhelezniak.

Back in Washington, the new political reality carries real consequences for the Commander-in-Chief’s foreign policy reach. Even with the Democratic sweep, the President still holds considerable executive power to continue the war with Iran or pursue diplomatic channels there and in Ukraine. That said, Democrats now hold significant power to block future funding for the Middle East conflict, or to push back on the Republican leader’s approach to Ukraine, where he has withdrawn support and struck deals with the Kremlin.

As Ali Vaez, Iran Project director for the International Crisis Group think tank, told NBC News:

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“The midterms have clipped Trump’s political wings, but not his military ones. With the Iran war an albatross around his neck, he faces a choice: seek a face-saving exit or escalate to reclaim the initiative.”

(Vaez’s remarks reflect his own analytical assessment as a think tank director.)

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