US Democrats Rout Republicans in 2026 Midterms, Seizing House Control

PARIS, Nov 4 (OPA) — House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed astonishment at the scale of the victory on Wednesday, telling MS NOW that projections pointing to 250 or 255 seats exceeded expectations. Jeffries attributed the wave to voter dissatisfaction over the cost of living, healthcare, and the ongoing military conflict in Iran, urging the White House to pursue an immediate end to hostilities before the new Congress convenes in January.

Financial markets rallied following the outcome, as investors anticipated a return to divided governance that could curb public spending and pressure defense budgets. At Wall Street's opening, however, shares of Elon Musk's Tesla dropped 3.82% to $383.31, while SpaceX fell 2.65% to $137.47, driven by fears of stricter legislative scrutiny over artificial intelligence data centers. Meanwhile, Texas flipped to the Democratic column in a notable setback for Musk's corporate headquarters.

International reactions poured in from European capitals and Tehran. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul welcomed the shift as an opportunity to renew transatlantic cooperation and pursue diplomatic solutions for conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. In Tehran, thousands of demonstrators gathered on the anniversary of the 1979 US embassy takeover to celebrate the Republican defeat, continuing anti-US protests amid ongoing regional tensions.

Despite the congressional losses, the White House maintained a firm stance, publishing an image on X reminding the public that Donald Trump remains the sitting US president. Political analysts note that while Trump's legislative agenda faces formidable new roadblocks, his core populist movement and confrontational strategy remain deeply entrenched in American politics.