US midterms 2026: Donald Trump branded 'lame duck president' as Britain to maintain close ties

Voters have delivered a “seismic shift” in America’s politics in the US midterms where Donald Trump was heavily defeated, says a minister.The American president was not standing in the November 3 election but had put himself at the helm of the Republicans’ campaign.One leading Democrat said the results left Trump as a “lame duck president”.US President Donald Trump has been dealt a major blow in midterm electionsPA WireHealth minister James Frith, on the media round, stressed that the UK Government would continue working with the Trump administration.“It looks like an enormous night for American democracy and for the Democrats, and we will see where the final numbers end up,” he told Times Radio.“It looks like a seismic shift in domestic politics for the Americans.”Pressed how Andy Burnham’s Government would now work with Trump, Mr Frith added: “Well, it will maintain its excellent relationship.”“That won't change,” he added.“The mainstay of the relationship with the UK Government, as its closest ally, is unwavering and unchanging.” However, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “For anyone who believes in decency, respect and the rule of law, it feels good to see the American people so comprehensively reject Donald Trump’s politics of hate, division and economic harm.”Democratic US Senate candidate James Talarico celebrates with supporters after winning the Texas race during the midterm election AFP/GettyBut in America, Trump was facing a wave of criticism after the Democrats inflicted a string of historic defeats against the Republicans to take control of Congress.Read MoreIn a remarkable sweep, the Democrats won Senate seats in the former Republican strongholds of Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, Ohio, Maine and Iowa.Jon Ossoff, the projected winner in the Georgia Senate race, hailed his win as proof that "the American people have rejected... the failed lame duck president Donald J. Trump".The Democrats have also regained control of the House of Representatives, which they last held in 2023, having flipped numerous seats in states including Kentucky, New Jersey, Indiana and North Carolina.The midterm elections to Congress were seen as a referendum on the controversial Republican president.The Democratic victories represent a major blow to Trump, who had previously urged people to pretend he was on the voting slip.Donald Trump is threatening to use his presidentia veto as he faces gridlock in CongressAFP/GettyDemocrats needed a net gain of four seats in the 100-member Senate to win a majority, while in the 435-member House, they needed three.Speaking to Fox News, Trump admitted the results had surprised him.“I thought they’d do better, we had tremendous rallies,” he said.“I thought that I could transfer those people into candidates.”He also congratulated the Democrats and said: “They did a good job. They worked very hard.”But while offering to work with opponents, he had also posted a picture of a red baseball cap emblazoned with the word “Veto”, suggesting he would block legislation they sought to take through Congress.With the Democrats in the driving seat on Capitol Hill, Trump does face having his domestic agenda frustrated as well as the threat of investigations into the conduct of his administration.However, the president still has executive authority in key areas, including foreign policy.