The off-year elections are a bellwether. And Republicans were put on notice.
Now Donald Trump finally broke his silence on these consequential GOP losses.
Trump Pins GOP Election Defeats on Shutdown
President Donald Trump declared Wednesday morning that the prolonged government shutdown played a key role in Republican setbacks during Tuesday’s elections.
Speaking to reporters at a White House breakfast with GOP lawmakers, Trump acknowledged that election night “was not expected to be a victory,” pinpointing the 36-day shutdown as one of two culprits.
“I think, if you read the pollsters, the shutdown was a big factor,” Trump said. “Negative for the Republicans, and that was a big factor.”
Trump added: “And they say that I wasn’t on the ballot and was the biggest factor. But I don’t know about that. But I was honored that they said that.”
Voters Punish Republicans Amid Economic Anxiety
Exit polls revealed deep economic concerns driving voter decisions as Democrats swept to major victories across multiple states.
“I don’t think it was good for Republicans,” Trump said of the election results. “I don’t think it’s good. I’m not sure it was good for anybody.”
High-profile Republican losses included the New York City mayoral race and gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia.
Democrats also clinched a anticipated triumph in California, where voters green-lit a new congressional map poised to net their party five additional U.S. House seats in the upcoming midterms.
Trump Demands End to Shutdown, Filibuster
The morning after the stinging defeats, Trump urged lawmakers to terminate the record-breaking 36-day government shutdown.
“We must get the government open,” Trump said, going on to push Republican senators to end the filibuster.
“It’s time for Republicans to do what they have to do,” he said. “Terminate the filibuster.”
