The Democratic Party has secured a sweeping victory in the 2026 United States midterm elections, taking control of Congress in a major setback for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
The scale of the defeat has been viewed as a rejection of Trump’s first two years in office, with rising living costs, an unpopular war with Iran and dissatisfaction with the president emerging as key factors behind the Republican losses.
Rising prices were among the biggest concerns for American voters, with inflation putting pressure on household budgets across the country.
Prices increased by 3.7 per cent in the year to September, driven largely by higher fuel and energy costs. According to voter polling cited by the BBC, 79 per cent of respondents said inflation had caused their families moderate or severe financial hardship over the past year.
More than six in 10 respondents also blamed Trump’s policies for the higher-than-usual prices, with some voters who had previously supported Republicans switching their allegiance to the Democrats.
The war with Iran also contributed to the Republican defeat, with the conflict creating political and economic challenges for the Trump administration.
The US and Israel launched military action against Iran in February 2026, triggering a conflict that disrupted global energy markets. Iran’s retaliation effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for the transportation of oil and liquefied natural gas, contributing to higher fuel prices.
The conflict also created difficulties for Trump among supporters who backed his America First agenda and expected him to avoid further foreign military engagements.
Polling cited in the report found that 63 per cent of voters believed the US made the wrong decision to take military action against Iran. Another 74 per cent said the conflict was a major or crucial factor in their decision to vote for Congress.
Trump acknowledged that the war had contributed to the Republican defeat but maintained that military intervention had been necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Democrats also benefited from candidates who maintained a consistent campaign message centred on the cost of living and access to affordable healthcare.
Several candidates managed to appeal to voters in traditionally Republican states by focusing on issues affecting ordinary Americans.
In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed made tackling political influence and improving household finances central to his campaign, while former paediatrician Annie Andrews secured an upset victory in South Carolina by focusing on healthcare affordability.
Democratic candidates James Talarico in Texas and pastor Adam Hamilton in Kansas also connected with voters through campaigns that incorporated their personal faith.
Meanwhile, Trump’s declining popularity weighed heavily on Republican candidates. The president had become closely associated with two issues voters were increasingly unhappy with: rising living costs and the Iran war.
His approval ratings had also fallen among some Republican voters, creating additional challenges for candidates seeking to retain support in states that backed him in the 2024 presidential election.
Trump attempted to energise his supporters by urging them to treat the midterm elections as though he himself were on the ballot. However, his prominent involvement in the Republican campaign appears to have created additional political risks as voters expressed frustration with his administration’s priorities.
Some Republican candidates also faced criticism over campaigns that failed to adequately address voters’ concerns. In Texas, for instance, Ken Paxton was criticised for a campaign that was seen as insufficiently focused on everyday economic challenges.
Trump’s own campaign messaging also attracted scrutiny, with critics arguing that he spent too much time discussing issues that were less urgent to voters.
During his final campaign speech in Washington DC, the president spoke at length about his controversial renovation project involving the Reflecting Pool, while many Americans remained concerned about rising prices.
The results point to a combination of economic dissatisfaction, opposition to the Iran war, stronger Democratic campaign messaging and growing frustration with Trump’s leadership as key factors behind the Republican defeat.
