U.S. Midterm Elections Democrats Reclaim Majority in Both House and Senate…Trump's Second-Term Administration Faces Inevitable Policy Gridlock

In the U.S. midterm elections held on the 3rd (local time), the opposition Democratic Party reclaimed control of Congress by securing a majority of seats in both the Federal Senate and Federal House of Representatives.

Major U.S. media outlets including the New York Times (NYT), Washington Post (WP), and CNN uniformly issued weighty assessments, calling the election results "a strong judgment by Americans on the Trump administration's second-term governance overall and a harbinger of political downfall."

Consequently, the Donald Trump administration, with two years left in its term, faces legislative paralysis, budget control challenges, and intensive congressional investigations, making it inevitable that the remaining tenure will be fraught with difficulties.

High Inflation and Cost-of-Living Discontent Reflected in Voter Sentiment…Traditional Republican Strongholds Also Crumble

U.S. media identified persistent high inflation, cost-of-living burdens, and failed inflation responses as the biggest factors in this defeat. According to exit polls by AP and Reuters, over 65% of surveyed voters attributed responsibility for economic hardship to the White House and the administration's policy direction.

Political analysts diagnosed that aggressive tariff policies, escalating external conflicts, and fatigue from the misuse of executive orders determined the departure of moderate-leaning voters from Republican support.

In particular, major U.S. media outlets highlighted the collapse of even the Republican Party's traditional strongholds (Red States). Historic reversals unfolded as Democratic candidates won Senate districts in Kansas, Iowa, Ohio, and other regions that Republicans had dominated for decades, while a historic upset occurred with Democratic candidates winning in Texas, a core Republican stronghold, signaling that the conservative camp's voter base has been broadly shaken.

Foreign Media Perspective on Trump's "Thorny Path"…Lame Duck Status and Severe Political Gridlock

Foreign media and local experts predict that with congressional power now completely realigned to a Democratic majority, President Trump's remaining two-year term will face serious obstacles.

With House control, Democrats have secured legislative and budgetary authority to substantially cut or completely block appropriations for the White House's major policy initiatives. Furthermore, as Democrats hold the Senate majority, they are expected to exercise strong power to reject confirmation of federal judges, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, and other key officials, preventing the administration's unilateral action.

Additionally, with Democratic control of major House committees, congressional subpoenas directed at President Trump, his family, and key associates, along with intensive hearings and comprehensive investigations, are expected to intensify in full swing.

President Trump "Accepts Results" While Evading Responsibility…Political Standoff Expected to Worsen

Shortly after the election results became clear, President Trump responded via social media platform Truth Social, stating "I was not on this ballot. If I had run directly, I would have won overwhelmingly," deflecting responsibility for the election defeat to party leadership and individual candidates.

In his official position, he indicated acceptance of the election results and willingness to cooperate with the opposition Democratic Party. However, U.S. political circles anticipate that the president's push for executive orders will directly collide with Democratic legislative obstruction and veto authority, resulting in severe political gridlock (Gridlock) and worsened lame duck conditions during the remaining tenure.