Democrats Near Largest House Majority Since 2008 as Trump Faces Midterm Setback

The 2026 midterm elections are shaping up to give Democrats a House majority comparable to their 2008 high point. According to a New York Times analysis, Democrats have flipped 52 of the 234 districts that President Donald Trump carried in 2024, bringing their tally to 253 seats against the Republicans' 155. With 27 races still pending, the party could exceed 260 seats, which would translate to an 85-seat advantage, the largest for Democrats since the early 1990s.

If the final count holds, Democrats would control roughly 60 percent of the chamber, a level not seen in half a century. The outcome also marks the first occasion that President Trump, who also served as president from 2017 to 2021, would face a Congress controlled by the opposition in both chambers.

Senate contests in Alaska and Mississippi remain undecided, leaving open the possibility of a modest Democratic gain in the upper chamber.

President Trump responded to the results, telling The New York Times that he is "absolutely willing to accept those results" and pledged to "work with the Democrats." He later posted on social media an image of a red baseball cap bearing the word "VETO," indicating his stance on forthcoming legislation.

"I am absolutely willing to accept those results," Trump said.

Democratic leaders indicated they intend to use their congressional majority to pursue investigations into members of the administration and to consider further oversight measures.