From ABC News · ABC News · · 3m
Trump says he was 'a little bit surprised' by Democrats' midterm wins
After Republicans suffered resounding losses, Trump blamed candidates and high gas prices, but said he would work with Democrats while emphasizing his veto power.
In brief
After Republicans suffered resounding losses, Trump blamed candidates and high gas prices, but said he would work with Democrats while emphasizing his veto power. Trump said he was surprised by Republican losses in the midterms, blamed candidates and gas prices, but pledged to work with Democrats while stressing his…
Trump reacts to Republican losses
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was a little bit surprised by Democrats' victories in the midterm elections. He told Fox News he thought Republicans would do better.
“I thought we would do better”
Trump cites campaign rallies
Trump pointed to his campaign efforts, saying he held tremendous rallies with thousands of people outside and inside. He suggested the turnout should have translated to better results.
“We had tremendous rallies, thousands of people outside let alone inside that couldn't get in.”
Trump blames candidates and gas prices
Trump blamed Republican candidates and high gas prices from the war in Iran for the losses. He said voters did not like the candidates in most cases.
“They didn't like the candidates in most cases, just one of those things”
Trump's counterfactual claim
Trump posted on his social media platform that if he had been on the ballot, Republicans would have won in a landslide. He had urged Republicans to vote as if he were on the ballot.
“I wasn't on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!”
Trump's endorsed candidates lost
Trump played an outsized role in key races.He endorsed Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Senate GOP primary and Darline Graham in a South Carolina special election.Both were projected to lose.
Trump attacks Texas governor
After results showed Democrats would take the House and Senate, Trump lashed out at Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who lost his bid for a fourth term.Trump called Abbott a RINO, or Republican in Name Only.
“If Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, hadn't become a RINO in the last six months of his Political Life, he wouldn't have lost”
Abbott defeated by Hinojosa
Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa was projected to defeat Abbott, who was running for his fourth term as Texas governor.
Trump says he will work with Democrats
In his initial remarks, Trump said he would work with Democrats to make sure things go well for the country. He told Politico he would consider striking an immigration deal with them.
“I'd consider doing whatever I think is appropriate and good for the country”
Trump emphasizes veto power
Trump posted a picture of his red hat with the word VETO displayed across it. He told Fox News Democrats could send bills but he would send them back with a veto stamp.
“they can send over, you know, 50 different great bills that they're all excited about, and I send them back with a nice stamp veto”
Democrats gain Senate control
Democrats were projected to gain control of the Senate, gaining seven seats. Republicans lost seven of the twenty-two seats they had up for election.
Democrats take the House
Democrats were also projected to take control of the House of Representatives after Republicans suffered resounding losses in the midterm elections.
In short
Trump said he was surprised by Republican losses in the midterms, blamed candidates and gas prices, but pledged to work with Democrats while stressing his veto authority.
