US midterms live: Trump says Democrat victories not a 'hit on me'

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK -- The opposition Democratic Party has won control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, according to media projections, capitalizing on widespread voter discontent over Republican President Donald Trump's policies on inflation, tariffs, AI data centers and the Iran war.

In the weeks leading up to the Nov. 3 midterm elections, forecasters overwhelmingly favored the Democrats to take back the House, while the battle to regain control of the Senate was expected to be much closer.

However, only hours after polls closed, Democrats flipped Republican Senate seats in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Kansas and Iowa, according to the Associated Press, clearing the key 51-seat threshold in the 100-seat chamber. The AP called the House for the Democrats later in the night, after the party surpassed 218 seats. In 2024 and 2022, the AP did not call control of the House until eight days after Election Day.

Readers can follow Nikkei Asia's live coverage and analysis of the midterm elections at asia.nikkei.com.

2:40 a.m. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won his Senate race in Michigan, defeating Republican Mike Rogers, according to the Associated Press and other outlets, which note that he is the first Muslim elected to the chamber.

2:15 a.m. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson says the midterm results are an internal affair of the U.S., but that Beijing is willing to strengthen communication with Washington.

1:35 a.m. Democrats have won the House as well, according to the Associated Press, securing control of both chambers of Congress. This leaves Trump facing a daunting final two years of his presidency. On Truth Social earlier, he posted a picture of a red hat emblazoned with the word "VETO," presumably implying how he intends to handle legislation that crosses his desk.

1:10 a.m. Trump has acknowledged the results but deflected blame for Republican losses. In an interview with Fox News -- which he blasted on Truth Social on election night for "constantly and consistently putting on the Dumocrat opposition" -- the president said the Democrats "did a good job" and "fought hard."

"I don't view it as a hit on me," he said. "We've had the greatest two years in the history of the presidency."

1:05 a.m. In another closely watched Senate race, Democrat Troy Jackson has defeated Republican incumbent Susan Collins in Maine, according to the Associated Press.

11:20 p.m. Trump's glowing endorsement of Republican Sen. John Husted and his physical appearance did not help the incumbent retain his seat in Ohio.

Democrat Sherrod Brown took the key seat in a state that has shifted right in recent years and voted for Trump in three consecutive presidential elections, the Associated Press called at 11:10 p.m.