U.S. midterm elections 2026 LIVE: Republican U.S. House Speaker to step down; Zelenskyy hopes Democrat gains will bring more help for Ukraine

Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson reacts at his midterm election night rally in Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S., on November 3, 2026. | Photo Credit: Reuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview on Wednesday (November 4, 2026), said he hoped gains by Democrats in the U.S. midterm elections would generate more help for Ukraine in its war with Russia. His remarks came after Democrats seized control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress in a sweeping rejection of U.S. President Trump’s party and his policies. “I am also grateful to the Republicans, but the Democrats speak very clearly about supporting Ukraine and providing assistance to Ukraine,” he said in comments provided in German by ZDF before the interview was broadcast.Also read: U.S. Midterm Election night agenda: When polls close and when to expect resultsU.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson will step down as Republican leader following his party’s crushing midterm election defeat, his spokesperson confirmed. Mr. Johnson, the highest-ranking Republican in the United States after President Donald Trump and Vice-President J.D. Vance, is second in the line of presidential succession.Also read: U.S. midterm elections: An economy under pressure, political shift and the road aheadMr. Trump backed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday (November 4, 2026) as questions swirl about his future following the midterms rout. Asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth, whom he has described as a champion of the war, Mr. Trump told reporters: “No, I think he’s doing a very good job.” The vote reflected deep anger over living costs, tariffs and Mr. Trump’s war against Iran, which has sent fuel prices soaring and compounded dissatisfaction with an already deeply unpopular President.(With inputs from agencies)Follow LIVE updates here:November 05, 2026 07:03 U.S. midterm election results 2026: List of key winnersHere’s a list to track the key winners in the House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship:U.S. midterm election results 2026: List of key winnersUS midterm election results: A list to track the key winners in the House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship:November 05, 2026 07:02 Analysis: How U.S. midterms could shape geopolitics for IndiaThe dramatic results of the U.S. midterms will probably have less impact on India-U.S. bilateral relations than on geopolitics and, as a result, India’s “operating environment” in the world. The elections are likely to hand Democrats a sizable majority in the House of Representatives and a comfortable edge in the Senate, which means U.S. President Donald Trump will face restraints on both domestic and foreign policy. Here are five areas where this will matter most to India.U.S. midterm results may matter less for India-U.S. ties than for India’s room to manoeuvre in geopoliticsThe U.S. midterm results may matter less for India-U.S. ties than for geopolitics, from the Iran war and Russian oil to trade talks and the Quad.November 05, 2026 07:01 Democrats win U.S. Congress in midterm rout of U.S. President TrumpDemocrats won full control of the U.S. Congress in a sweeping midterm rout on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) with a landslide of upsets that delivered a crushing rebuke of President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.The victory handed Democrats both the House of Representatives and Senate, giving them power to block Mr. Trump’s agenda and investigate alleged corruption for the last two years of his presidency.The vote reflected deep anger over living costs, tariffs and Mr. Trump’s war against Iran, which has sent fuel prices soaring and compounded dissatisfaction with an already deeply unpopular president.Democrats win U.S. Congress in midterm rout of U.S. President Donald TrumpDemocrats gain ground in U.S. midterms as Trump battles bruising setbacks and Georgia’s governor race reshapes the political landscape. Published - November 05, 2026 06:50 am IST