Democrats ride anti-Trump wave to win control of Congress

Democrats have captured both chambers of Congress, pushing deep into traditionally GOP territory to flip states and districts won by President Donald Trump .

Decision Desk HQ and NBC projected Democrats would take the Senate, they had already been projected to win a majority in the House of Representatives earlier in the evening.

The results marked a stunning rebuke of the president, who barnstormed across the country in the final weeks of the campaign in a bid to keep red states in Republican hands. His efforts were unsuccessful as Democrats flipped Senate seats in South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Ohio, Kansas and Iowa.

Democrats needed to pick up four seats to take control of the chamber.

Midterm hopefuls vote and greet supporters

Adding to GOP woes, Democrats won several of the states by wide margins. Adam Hamilton is projected to be the first Democrat to win a Kansas Senate seat since 1932. James Talarico is the first Democrat to win a Texas Senate seat since 1988.

A competitive Senate race in Michigan, where Abdul El-Sayed is looking to keep the seat in Democratic hands remains uncalled.

Senate, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, called victory a "generational remake" of the Senate.

"We have five words for the American people," he said. "Relief is on the way."

Democrats had always been expected to flip the House, but the GOP entered 2026 favored to keep the Senate thanks to Democrats needing to flip at least three Senate seats in states Trump carried in 2024. But Trump's dipping popularity and skyrocketing cost of living radically altered that midterm outlook.

During the campaign, Democrats were relentless in winning over voters frustrated with the White House's failure to tame the economy. They also leaned heavily into allegations of corruption and enrichment by Trump and his allies since their return to power.

Retaking the Senate will give Democrats legislative leverage in terms of shaping Washington's agenda. They are likely to pursue reversing Medicaid and food stamp cuts; reasserting Congress' role on foreign trade policy; and seeking bipartisan agreement on banning lawmakers from trading stocks.

The immediate showdown, however, will likely center on the war in Iran, and could see Democrats directing Trump to seek congressional authorization to continue or pulling funding to end the conflict.

Trump also will have a harder time installing Cabinet and judicial nominees, including for another potential Supreme Court vacancy, should one arise.

More broadly, the wins give Democrats a jolt of energy heading into a presidential election year.