American voters decide Trump's second-term fate in midterm elections
Voters across the United States are casting ballots in midterm elections that will determine control of Congress and could define the final two years of Donald Trump's presidency.
Millions of Americans voted on Tuesday in midterm elections that could shift the balance of power in Washington and shape the final two years of Donald Trump's second term. The contests will determine the makeup of Congress and other key offices, turning the ballot into a broad verdict on a presidency that has remained deeply polarising.
Opinion polls have consistently pointed in the Democrats' favour, and the party is optimistic about regaining control of the House of Representatives and potentially the Senate. Democrats have nonetheless remained cautious, having endured considerable frustration during the Trump era and having seen expectations collapse before. The party's leaders have been careful not to treat the favourable numbers as a settled outcome, given how often recent elections have confounded forecasters.
Prediction markets reflected that optimism as the day progressed. Democrats' chances of sweeping both the House and the Senate, a result that would represent a major blow to the president, rose on Tuesday afternoon, according to those markets. Traders who price these outcomes in real time had been moving their estimates as early indications came in from across the country, and the shifts were watched closely by political strategists and financial analysts alike.
The stakes extend well beyond the legislative chamber. Several business sectors could face greater scrutiny from lawmakers if Democrats make strong gains, a prospect that has prompted companies and investors to follow the results with close attention. A Democratic majority in the House would give the opposition control over committees and the power to open investigations into the administration, while a Senate majority would shape the confirmation of judicial and executive appointments for the remainder of the term.
Public sentiment toward the president is also central to the picture. An exit poll conducted by CBS recorded the lowest midterm approval rating for Trump of any president in the modern polling record, with his standing worse than that of his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden during the 2022 midterms. Such figures underline the difficult terrain for Republicans defending their seats and point to the depth of voter dissatisfaction that the party must now address.
Results from all 50 states are expected to arrive over the coming hours and days, and the final composition of Congress will determine how much room the White House has to pursue its agenda in its last two years in office. Whatever the outcome, the verdict delivered at the ballot box is likely to set the terms of political debate in Washington for the rest of Trump's presidency.
Source: theguardian.com
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