DEMOCRATS PROJECTED TO WIN BACK CONTROL OF US CONGRESS

Democrats are projected to take back control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate after the 2026 US midterm elections. The scale of the Democratic wins has led to the results being dubbed a "Blue Tsunami" for the party. Millions of Americans voted in the elections, which have been presented as a verdict on Donald Trump's second term as president. Vote counting continued into Wednesday 4 November, with results still being reported in a number of races. Among the declared results, El-Sayed won a Senate seat in Michigan, a result described as a victory for progressives.

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico won the state's Senate race, defeating Ken Paxton, the sitting attorney general, who had been backed by Trump. The win ended a 38-year losing streak for Democrats in statewide elections in Texas, which is nicknamed the Lone Star State. Talarico's victory was described as one of several significant upset wins for the Democratic Party on the night. Republican candidates also lost in a number of races in states considered strongholds for the party, including Texas and South Carolina. The broader elections also included House and Senate contests in Georgia, Ohio and Minnesota.

Trump responded to the results in a phone call with Fox News. During the call, he blamed the Republican Party's defeats on the candidates themselves. He then posted an image of a red cap resembling his "Make America Great Again" merchandise. The cap bore the word "VETO" in place of the usual campaign slogan.