President Donald Trump reacted with a barrage of posts on Truth Social as Democratic victories in the US midterm elections became clear, giving the party control of Congress. The president's comments ranged from claims he would have won in a landslide to criticism of Republican candidates and Fox News.
President's social media outburst
As results came in showing Democrats sweeping to victory, Trump posted that he "would have won IN A LANDSLIDE" if he had been on the ballot. The post came as Georgia elected the US' first female black governor in Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, who edged out Republican Rick Jackson by 1.3 percent.
As more Republican candidates fell, Trump continued on Truth Social, posting: "I'm going to become a Political Pundit, both good and bad, on the reasons these Candidates won and lost! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
Democrats' 'blue tsunami'
Media outlets are labelling the results a 'blue tsunami' across the country, with Democrats securing several important wins in historically Republican states, including flips in North and South Carolina.
The president also posted an image of a red cap with 'VETO' across the front instead of 'make America great again', referencing his earlier interview with CBS News in which he said he would use his "tremendous powers" to challenge the Democrats.
Concession and criticism
"I have the ultimate power — it's called 'veto,'" Trump told CBS News in a phone interview before polls closed, adding he welcomed the moniker "Mr Veto" in describing his approach to Democrats. The comments signal a likely showdown between the executive branch and Congress next year.
Hours later, on Fox News, Trump conceded, saying: "Well, I say this, congratulations to the Democrats, they did a good job. They've been looking for this one for 11-years and they've finally got it." He added, "But I don't view it as a hit on me, we've had the greatest two years in the history of the presidency."
Trump told Fox News he knows the Iran war had an impact on voters' decisions, later clarifying it was "the gasoline" prices driven by the war that likely affected voters, saying they "probably weren't willing to do the short-term consequence of paying more for gasoline, and I understand that."
In his most recent Truth Social post, Trump hit out at Fox News, asking why it had Bill de Blasio, the "Worst Mayor in the History of New York City," on air, and stating: "FoxNews bears responsibility for these losses by constantly and consistently putting on the Dumocrat opposition, and worse."
