US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he would accept the results of the midterm elections and work with Democrats, as projections indicated that Republicans could suffer significant losses in Congress. In an interview with The New York Times, Trump said he was “absolutely willing” to accept the outcome and expected the parties could reach agreements.
The comments marked a shift from Trump’s campaign rhetoric. He had questioned the reliability of the electoral system and previously said he would recognize a defeat only if the vote was conducted fairly. On October 27, when asked whether he would accept losing, he replied: “Yes, if [the results] are honest.”
After the election, Trump also sought to distance himself from the Republican performance, writing on Truth Social that the party would have won decisively if his name had been on the ballot. In recent weeks, however, he had urged supporters to vote for Republican candidates as if he were running, and held rallies across several states.
Trump entered the election with approval near the lowest level of his two terms. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published Monday found that 32% of Americans approved of his administration, amid dissatisfaction with the cost of living and the economy.
The prospect of Democrats taking control of the House of Representatives could give the party greater power to investigate the administration, summon officials and scrutinize White House decisions. It could also create an opening for another impeachment effort. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said the party had not decided to pursue impeachment, but had not ruled it out; he said any action would be guided by the facts, the law and the US Constitution.
Trump was impeached twice during his first term, in 2019 and 2021, and acquitted by the Senate both times. A new impeachment charge could pass the House by a simple majority, while removal from office would require support from two-thirds of senators present at a trial.
Sources: Folha Mundo.