By Salma El-Sakka
Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, delivering a historic rebuke to President Donald Trump's policies and setting the stage for aggressive investigations of allies like Elon Musk, while Trump privately considers replacing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Democrats Seize House and Senate in Historic Midterm Victory
The Republican Party lost its congressional majorities a day after voters handed Democrats what they called a "blue tsunami." President Trump largely avoided discussing the GOP's performance, instead highlighting White House ballroom construction and stating he did not regret starting a war in Iran. The president's party typically loses ground in midterms, but Trump's policies — tariffs, cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, and the Iran conflict — offered few avenues to reverse that trend. NBC News interviews with more than 50 people close to the Trump campaign detailed miscalculations that led to the upheaval.
Trump's Campaign Missteps Cost GOP Control
Despite bleak August polling showing the economy as voters' top concern, Trump campaigned with the message "Pretend I'm on the ballot" and made no policy course correction. He endorsed candidates who went on to lose, including South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for Senate, the latter prompting what one Republican called a "total, major freakout." Meanwhile, Democrats coalesced around their nominees. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he will not remain Republican leader in the new Congress. In Mississippi, the Senate race headed to an extended count with fewer than 100 votes separating Democrat Scott Colom and GOP Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Democrats Pledge Affordability Agenda
More than 80% of midterm voters said they were worried about the price of necessities, fueling Democratic victories. Incoming leaders such as Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed, Texas's James Talarico, and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries have pushed proposals including Medicare for All, free preschool, and reversing Republican healthcare cuts. However, any legislation must survive a potential Trump veto, and Democrats face the challenge of turning affordability promises into law.
Elon Musk Under Investigation in Texas
Tech mogul Elon Musk, who moved SpaceX and Tesla to Texas to avoid Democratic regulators, now faces a new crop of Democratic lawmakers despite donating $168 million to Republicans. Incoming Texas Attorney General Nathan Johnson, a Democrat, pledged to investigate Musk, citing "pay-to-play" concerns and efforts to exert control over public power through wealth. Projected Texas Gov. Gina Hinojosa and Sen. James Talarico also criticized Musk on the campaign trail. The Texas scrutiny may preview what awaits Musk in Washington next year.
Trump Weighs Replacing Defense Secretary Hegseth
Trump has told allies he is considering replacing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to two sources familiar with the discussions. Some of Hegseth's upcoming travel was put on hold, and he was notably absent from the White House East Room during election night. The potential change could relate to a possible resumption of major military action in Iran or post-midterm politics, though Trump publicly stated he is not planning to replace Hegseth.
Other Notable Developments
Bomb threats disrupted passenger flights across Europe, forcing at least one emergency landing at a French Air Force base. Bob Dylan visited the Vatican and presented Pope Leo XIV with a copy of his autobiography. NASA's Swift Observatory reentered Earth's atmosphere after a 22-year mission. In sports, Victor Wembanyama scored a career-high 52 points with 24 rebounds and eight blocks to lead the Spurs past the Mavericks, and Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell reported full lower-body movement after a terrifying injury.
