Trump says he will accept U.S. midterm election results and work with Democrats as Republicans lose control of Congress

U.S. President Donald Trump said he was willing to accept the results of the November 3 midterm elections and work with Democrats, as his Republican Party suffered major congressional losses that threatened to reshape the final two years of his presidency.

In an interview with The New York Times on Tuesday, Trump signaled that he would cooperate with Democratic lawmakers despite the prospect of losing Republican control of both chambers of Congress.

“We’ll work with the Democrats, and we’ll, you know, look forward to working with them. We’ll probably work something out,” Trump told the newspaper, according to Reuters.

His remarks came as Democrats secured control of the Senate and appeared on course to regain the House of Representatives, dealing a significant setback to the president’s ability to advance his legislative priorities without opposition-party support.

A Democratic-controlled Congress would gain authority over committee leadership, investigations and legislative scheduling, creating opportunities for more aggressive scrutiny of the administration. Congressional committees could also use subpoena powers to seek documents and testimony from government officials.

The president’s willingness to cooperate marked a different tone from his campaign rhetoric, in which he repeatedly warned voters against handing power to Democrats. It did not, however, amount to an agreement on specific legislation or policy priorities.

Trump also sought to distance himself from Republican defeats, arguing that his personal absence from the ballot had affected turnout among his supporters. The president maintained that the party would have performed better had he been a candidate.

The incoming Congress will begin its term on January 3, 2027. Until then, the current Republican-controlled Congress remains in office.

Whether Trump’s stated willingness to cooperate leads to legislative agreements will depend on negotiations with Democratic leaders, who are preparing to exercise considerably greater influence over the administration’s remaining two years.