In a stunning turn of events, US President Donald Trump has publicly criticized members of his own party while acknowledging that Democrats did a "good job" in the midterm elections, which saw the opposition party seize control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Trump Concedes and Criticizes
Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump lashed out at Greg Abbott, the Republican who lost the Texas governor race to Democrat Gina Hinojosa. Trump claimed Abbott would not have lost if he "hadn't become a RINO in the last six months," using the acronym for "Republican in Name Only." He also asserted that if he had been on the ballot, Republicans "would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!"
Despite his criticism, Trump told The New York Times that he was "absolutely willing to accept" the election results and looked forward to working with Democrats. "We'll probably work something out," he said.
Surprise and Veto Threats
In a separate interview with Fox News, Trump expressed surprise at the outcome, saying he was "a little surprised." He warned that Democrats would send "insane" legislation to his desk, which he would veto. "After a couple of months of vetoes, they'll call and they'll say, 'how do we get this stuff done?' And we'll work together," he added.
On Truth Social, Trump posted an image of a red cap, typically bearing his "Make America Great Again" slogan, but this one emblazoned with the word "VETO," seemingly highlighting his power to block legislation.
Republican Losses Mount
As Republican losses mounted, Trump announced on Truth Social that he would "become a Political Pundit, both good and bad, on the reasons these Candidates won and lost." He singled out Abbott, whose defeat marks the first Democratic win in the Texas governor's race in over three decades. "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," Trump wrote. "He went back to his original formula, and it wasn't pretty!"
The term "RINO" is often used by party members to label those seen as disloyal to the Republican Party.
Distancing and Media Criticism
Trump also distanced himself from other Republican candidates who lost, telling CBS News: "In some cases they [voters] didn't like the candidates, and in some cases those candidates were not my friend."
He didn't spare Fox News from his ire, criticizing the network in multiple Truth Social posts for "spending too much time" covering Democrats and blaming its poor ratings on being "AGAINST me!" He also expressed displeasure that Fox News had interviewed former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, whom he called "the Worst Mayor" in the city's history. "He left the City in disgrace and the damage he caused was incalculable," Trump wrote.
The midterm elections have reshaped the political landscape, with Democrats now controlling both chambers of Congress. Trump's mixed reactions, from acceptance to defiance, signal a turbulent road ahead as the president prepares to navigate a divided government.
