Donald Trump blames government shutdown and his absence from ballot for Republican losses as Democrats score big nationwide; White House reminds voters who is the president

As election results rolled in, Democrats made significant gains across local and state races, flipping multiple seats in off-year elections. Reacting to the outcomes, President Donald Trump cited the ongoing government shutdown and the fact that he was not on the ballot as key reasons for the Republican losses.

“'TRUMP WASN'T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,'” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, citing unspecified pollsters.

Trump did not provide a source for his claim, and it was unclear which pollsters, if any, he was referring to.


The government shutdown, now entering its 35th day, has officially become the longest in US history, surpassing the previous record set in 2019. Trump’s comments came amid growing scrutiny of Republican strategies and messaging during the extended lapse in federal funding, which critics say has increasingly affected voter sentiment in key races.

As Democratic candidates, including Zohran Mamdani in New York City, score victories nationwide, the White House reminded voters in a post on X that Donald Trump is still the country’s president.

Election results signal democratic gains

Zohran Mamdani wins New York City

Democrat Zohran Mamdani has clinched the New York City mayoral race, defeating Andrew Cuomo, who was backed by President Donald Trump, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

Democrats stand strong in Virginia and New Jersey

Democrat Abigail Spanberger has won the Virginia governor’s race, with the state’s election website showing her securing 56 percent of the vote, local news outlets projected. Spanberger becomes Virginia’s first female governor, while Democrat Mikie Sherrill claimed victory in New Jersey’s race.

Democrat Ghazala Hashmi won the lieutenant governor’s race, and Jay Jones will be Virginia’s next attorney general.