Americans head to polls in 2026 midterms seen as Trump referendum

SUMMARY

Americans voted on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the 2026 midterm elections, with all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats up for grabs. The contests are widely viewed as a referendum on President Trump’s second term, as his approval rating hovered near a record low of about 40% while disapproval reached 60%. Control of Congress, dozens of governorships and several ballot measures—including a billionaire tax in California—were also at stake.

Covered in Morning RUSHTue, Nov 3 →

WHY IT MATTERS

Democrats argue the election could curb President Trump’s agenda and enable investigations into his administration, while Republicans warn that a Democratic takeover would reverse tax, labor and immigration policies they view as vital to economic recovery. Both sides see control of Congress as pivotal for shaping legislation and future elections.

◀ LEFT'S TAKE

Based on liberal positions on this issue, left-leaning outlets frame the midterms as a critical check on President Trump’s “untrammeled power,” emphasizing his low approval ratings, the historic trend of the president’s party losing seats, and the threat of dark money bolstering Republican candidates. They often portray Republican rhetoric as fear‑mongering and suggest Democrats must protect reproductive rights, climate action, and economic fairness.

RIGHT'S TAKE ▶

Based on conservative positions on this issue, right-leaning outlets depict the midterms as an attempt by Democrats to overturn President Trump’s achievements, highlighting concerns over “radical” candidates, high taxes, and potential investigations that could destabilize the economy. They stress the importance of maintaining low taxes, strong immigration enforcement, and national security, and portray the election as a fight against leftist overreach.