(NewsNation) — A blue wave has swept the country, turning deep-red states like Texas blue. In response, Republicans have taken to blaming President Donald Trump for the losses; meanwhile, Trump is pointing the blame elsewhere.
GOP midterm defeat ‘reflection of Trump’s agenda’: Official
“I think much of what we are seeing tonight is a reflection of Trump’s agenda, particularly our continued involvement in Iran, high gas prices, inflation and the lack of focus on issues affecting everyday Americans,” a statewide Republican official told Scripps News.
“It sounds a little ironic, but I am nonetheless optimistic for the future because Trump’s going to be gone in two years,” Republican candidate Bobby Charles told POLITICO.
Charles lost to Democrat Hannah Pingree in Maine’s governor’s race.
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Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks at an election night event, early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, in Detroit, as his wife Sarah Jukaku watches. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) -
TOPSHOT – Democratic US Senate candidate James Talarico waves as he celebrates after winning the Texas race during a midterm election night watch party at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas, on November 3, 2026. Democrat James Talarico on Tuesday won the US Senate race in Texas, flipping yet another seat for his party in a huge blow to Republicans, media projections showed. Talarico defeated the state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton, a close ally of President Donald Trump, NBC News and CBS News projected. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP via Getty Images) -
COLUMBUS, OHIO – NOVEMBER 03: Democratic Ohio Governor-elect Amy Acton greets a crowd of her supporters after her victory was announced at a midterm election night watch party at the Hilton Downtown Columbus on November 03, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. Democratic Senate candidate, former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) also unseated incumbent Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) after Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton defeated Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy in two of the most notable races this election season. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)
Trump: War with Iran partially to blame for GOP losses
Trump, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, acknowledged the war with Iran was partially to blame for Republicans losing both the House and Senate.
“Iran was a piece of it,” Trump told the WSJ but defended his decision to go to war, saying he does not regret it. “I don’t think about it. I did the right thing. I would have done it again.”
In an interview with CNN prior to the midterms, former GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said a Republican loss would be a referendum on Donald Trump’s betrayal.
“I think it’s a complete referendum on Donald Trump — his betrayal, where he promised no more foreign wars and to bring world peace, not releasing the Epstein files,” Taylor Greene said. “And also, not listening to everyday Americans who are saying, ‘We cannot afford the cost of living, we cannot afford health insurance, we cannot afford these high prices of gas and diesel.’ While he is constantly bragging about a ballroom and his big donors and having these big, fancy dinners, as if he cannot relate to the American people.”
Meanwhile, Trump has turned his blame toward candidates he previously endorsed.
“If Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, hadn’t become a RINO in the last six months of his Political Life, he wouldn’t have lost,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He went back to his original formula, and it wasn’t pretty!”
Trump blasts Fox News
Trump also blamed Fox News in a series of posts on Truth Social.
“Fox News bears responsibility for these losses by constantly and consistently putting on the Dumocrat opposition and worse,” one post reads, criticizing the network for having former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on air.
The president has seemingly refused to take blame for the losses, writing, “I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have one IN A LANDSLIDE!”
