US President Donald Trump reacts while walking after disembarking from Marine One as he returns, following campaign rallies in Iowa and Kansas, in Washington, DC, US, November 2, 2026. REUTERS/Eric Lee
President Donald Trump was caught off guard on election night by the defeat of a Republican senator he had endorsed.
Trump learned Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) had lost her race while on the phone with The New York Times Tuesday night, as he watched returns from the White House.
“I see that Darline lost. Wow, that’s amazing,” the president told White House correspondents Erica L. Green and Tyler Pager.
Trump then asked the reporters how the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who died in July, would have done had he been on the ballot, adding that he believed his longtime ally most likely would have won.
The president’s reaction came as Republicans lost their hold on Congress. Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate, according to projections, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the GOP Senate nominee Trump backed, was trailing at the time and went on to lose to Democrat James Talarico.
Trump did not back away from his endorsements, telling the Times he had no regrets about supporting Graham or Paxton. Instead, he blamed Republican losses on his own name not being on the ballot.
Trump also told the Times he would accept the outcome of the midterms.
“I am absolutely willing to accept those results,” Trump said.
He also signaled a willingness to cooperate across the aisle, saying his administration would work with Democrats and suggesting the two sides would probably reach agreements. The interview took place shortly before 10:30 p.m. ET, with Trump narrating results as they came in.
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