Trump accepts midterm results, signals willingness to work with Democrats

U.S. President Donald Trump said on November 3, 2026, that he is "absolutely willing to accept" the results of the midterm elections, according to interviews with The New York Times, CBS News, and Fox News. The statement represents a shift in tone from his earlier skepticism about the electoral system during the campaign. Trump indicated readiness to negotiate and work with Democrats, saying "We'll probably work something out," even as media projections showed Democrats gaining control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Trump attributed Republican losses partly to his absence from the ballot, stating on Truth Social that "If I were, we would have won by a landslide." However, he had campaigned extensively in recent weeks, traveling to multiple states and framing the election as a test of his popularity. He also acknowledged that the war in Iran may have contributed to Republican losses, telling Fox News that "part of it" was due to Iran, though he defended his military actions.

Despite his stated acceptance of the results, Trump emphasized his leverage in a divided Congress. In interviews before polls closed, he stated, "I have the ultimate power — it's called 'veto,'" and indicated preparedness to block Democratic legislation if necessary. He said he would welcome the moniker "Mr. Veto" if Democrats controlled Congress. This dual positioning—accepting electoral outcomes while preparing to use executive power to constrain Democratic initiatives—reflects his strategy for governing in the new congressional configuration.

Trump's approval rating stood at approximately 32 percent according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released November 2, amid public dissatisfaction with the cost of living and economic management. His conciliatory tone on accepting election results contrasts with his earlier comments questioning the electoral system's reliability, though he had acknowledged the historical pattern of midterm losses for a sitting president's party before the voting took place.