Americans vote in midterms seen as a test of Trump’s presidency
Control of Congress is at stake as rising prices and record low approval ratings shape the race. Democrats hope to curb the president's power.
Key points
- Voters are choosing control of the Senate and House, both currently held by Republicans
- Opinion polls suggest Democrats are well placed to win the House
- Cost of living is voters' top concern, according to BBC reporting
- Trump's approval ratings have fallen to record lows of between 33 and 37%, per polls cited by the Guardian
- A Democratic primary dispute in Michigan and a reported Alaska plot have added friction late in the campaign
Voters across the United States are casting ballots in midterm elections that many observers see as a verdict on Donald Trump’s second term, according to The Guardian. Control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives is at stake, and Republicans hold both chambers at present.
What is at stake
Democrats hope to win enough seats to limit the president’s power, which has faced little formal check from Congress. Trump has pursued a tough immigration campaign involving mass arrests and deportations. He has also waged war on Iran, imposed tariffs on imported goods and begun large building projects, including a ballroom at the White House.
Opinion polls suggest Democrats are well placed to take the House. Winning the Senate is a harder task, although the party has targeted Republican-held seats in Ohio, Texas and Maine. Surveys released Sunday by Siena University and The New York Times show Democrats ahead in five of the seven top battleground races.
Cost of living dominates the race
BBC News reports that voters name the cost of living as their main concern. Food and fuel prices have climbed, which the BBC links partly to the president’s tariffs and the conflict with Iran. The price of diesel reached a record high of $6.52 a gallon in September, up from $3.75 before the war began in February.
Inflation has risen from 3% when Trump took office to 3.7% now. Economists quoted by the BBC estimate that it would be lower without his global tariffs. Republicans fear these economic conditions could leave them exposed even in races they have traditionally won easily.
Late disputes within the Democratic Party
The final days brought friction inside the Democratic camp. In Michigan, congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed the Republican candidate Mike Rogers after losing her party’s Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer criticised the move harshly.
In Alaska, reports said the campaign of Democratic candidate Mary Peltola was linked to an effort to recruit a challenger with a nearly identical name to Republican senator Dan Sullivan. Peltola has denied any knowledge of such a scheme. Earlier, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit over possible voter confusion, but a judge has since dismissed it.
Trump’s role and his record
Trump has headlined dozens of rallies and asked supporters to pretend he is on the ballot, although he is not. BBC reporting from Iowa found that some Republican voters believe the president could hurt their party’s chances.
Democrats have focused on affordability, the Iran conflict and what they describe as corruption in the president’s family. Another survey, a recent Harris poll conducted for the Guardian, reports that 76% of respondents believe officeholders are more focused on personal enrichment than on the health of the economy. Financial filings made to a federal ethics office suggest the president has collected roughly $2.2bn since returning to power, including royalties from a meme coin bearing his name.
Frequently asked questions
What is being decided in the US midterm elections?
Voters are deciding control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both chambers are currently held by Republicans, according to The Guardian.
Why are cost of living concerns so important to voters?
BBC News reports that food and fuel prices have risen, partly due to tariffs and the war with Iran. Inflation has increased from 3% to 3.7% since Trump took office.
Which Senate races have Democrats targeted?
Democrats have targeted Republican-held seats in Ohio, Texas and Maine, according to The Guardian. The party faces a tougher task winning the Senate than the House.
Sources
- The Guardian: Americans head to polls in midterm elections seen as referendum on Trump
- BBC News: Americans head to the polls for elections that could define Trump's closing chapter
This article was written with the help of AI from reports by the outlets listed above. See our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
