A weary Trump refuses to admit midterm defeat as Republicans suffer a wipeout in the battle for Congress
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which Trump suggested renaming after himself on the eve of midterm polling day, as voter anger over grocery and gas prices driven by his Iran war and tariffs dominated the final campaign stretch.
Trump held over two dozen rallies in the final stretch of the midterm campaign, but exit polls and early results point to Republicans losing control of the House and potentially the Senate, with Democrats needing a net gain of four Senate seats to take the chamber. Inflation has surged to 3.7% as of September 2026, driven by Trump's war on Iran and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, with gas and food prices fuelling widespread voter fury that polling suggests has cost Republicans once-solid states.
An iconic forecaster warns that Republicans who feel 'screwed' by Trump's economic record will be his undoing.
Trump dangled $5,000 cheques for every US adult in his final rally speech, conditional on Republicans retaining both chambers.
Ex-GOP governor warns Republicans are 'sharpening knives' for JD Vance, blaming him for his role in the midterm wipeout.
