Democrats have won control of Congress in the US midterm elections, a result described by multiple outlets as a sharp rebuke to President Donald Trump and his party. According to ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Trump has responded by vowing to "veto" Democrats, while Republicans are publicly mourning their losses.
The result marks a significant shift in Washington's balance of power, with the opposition party now holding the legislative majority. ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that Democrats swept to power in what coverage framed as a rejection of both Trump and Republican candidates. The broadcaster has also begun examining what Democratic control of Congress will mean in practice.
Australian outlets covered the outcome in similar terms. The Sydney Morning Herald described the Democratic win as a sweep to power at the midterms, while the Australian Financial Review characterised the result as a "blue wave" delivering a stunning rebuke to the president. The Canberra Times had earlier reported polls beginning to close in what it called crucial midterm elections.
Coverage of the night was carried live by ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which paired the president's veto threat with reporting on Republican reaction to the defeats. The broadcaster did not, in the material available, detail specific races, seat margins or the timing of any legislative action.
With Democrats set to take control of Congress, attention now turns to how the party will use its majority and whether Trump follows through on his veto pledge as the two branches of government prepare to collide.
