Trump Accepts US Midterm Results as Democrats Make Major Gains
US President Donald Trump has said he is “absolutely willing” to accept the outcome of the country’s midterm elections and work with Democrats, as early results pointed to major gains for the opposition party in Congress.
Trump made the remarks during a phone interview with The New York Times on Tuesday night, as he followed election results from the White House.
“We’ll, you know, look forward to working with them. We’ll probably work something out,” he said.
The president blamed the Republican Party’s poor performance on his absence from the ballot, suggesting that the outcome could have been different if he had contested the election.
He also defended his decision to launch the war against Iran, describing it as a “very wise decision”, and said he had no regrets about endorsing Republican candidates who lost their races.
Among them were South Carolina Senate candidate Darline Graham and Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, who both suffered defeats.
Trump said he was monitoring the results during the interview, which took place shortly before 10:30pm on Tuesday.
“I’m just looking at these results as I’m talking,” he said.
“I see that Darline lost. Wow, that’s amazing. How do you think Lindsey would have done if he ran?” he added, referring to the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
Democrats made significant gains in the November 3 midterm elections, winning control of the Senate and putting themselves in a strong position to take the House of Representatives, according to election results reported by the Associated Press.
The results represent a major setback for Trump and the Republican Party, giving Democrats greater influence over Congress during the remaining two years of his presidency.
By Oluwafemi Shodipe.
