Democrats mute Trump-et

Washington: In a major setback to President Donald Trump, the Democratic Party swept the US midterm elections on Tuesday, wresting control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives from the Republicans. The results also saw Democrats capture key gubernatorial posts in traditionally Republican strongholds, signalling growing voter dissatisfaction with Trump's policies.

The Republicans suffered defeats in Texas, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio and other states, with voters expressing anger over rising living costs, Trump's policies and his handling of the war on Iran.

In the Senate, Democrats overturned the Republican majority by winning at least seven Republican-held seats, including in Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Maine, South Carolina, Kansas and Iowa. In the House, they crossed the 218-seat threshold, ending the Republicans' narrow 220-215 majority.

Trump-backed Indian-American Vivek Ramaswamy lost the Ohio gubernatorial race to Democrat Amy Acton.

Trump conceded the results, congratulated the Democrats and said he was willing to work with them. However, he blamed his party's defeat on his absence from the ballot, claiming Republicans would have won by a landslide had he contested.

The Democratic takeover is expected to significantly constrain Trump's legislative agenda, with Congress gaining greater power to scrutinise and block his policies. Trump hinted at using his presidential veto powers, posting a picture of a red cap bearing the word "VETO" on Truth Social.

Georgia scripted history when Keisha Lance Bottoms was elected the state's first Black woman governor.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz has warned that Trump could face a barrage of congressional investigations, subpoenas and impeachment proceedings .

"I think we will also see two years of relentless impeachment. I believe the House will impeach Donald Trump if they have the House. They may impeach him multiple times," Cruz said.

The US elections saw three NASA astronauts -- Anil Menon, Luke Delaney and Jessica Watkins -- cast their vote from the International Space Station over 400 km above Earth.

"Tonight, the American people sent a clear message -- they want a politics that brings people together rather than divides them, and leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face. These results were only possible because outstanding candidates stepped forward in every region of the country -- including in areas once considered long shots. They came from different backgrounds and represented a range of political perspectives, but were united by shared values, a belief in public service, and a commitment to putting the people of their districts and states first," Obama posted on X.

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