To all Americans disappointed by the outcome: I am disappointed too, House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a speech, as it became clear that the party had lost control of Congress.
But we never lose heart, he continued.
Aside from Johnson, who is losing his role as speaker, there has been relatively little response from Republican leaders so far.
“Bloodbath”
Rank-and-file Republicans and conservative commentators, however, are not mincing words:
“It’s a bloodbath,” a Republican strategist who wishes to remain anonymous tells NBC.
“A zombie apocalypse,” an anonymous senator tells the channel.
Right-wing commentator Matt Walsh, in a post on X, lists several reasons why he believes the party lost the election:
“Trump started an unpopular and pointless war. Fuel prices are too high. People can’t afford groceries. Trump abandoned the America First message.”
Disillusioned voters?
Midterm elections are usually seen as a referendum on the incumbent president, and it is the rule rather than the exception that the president’s party loses ground.
Kurt Myhre, 34, a member of the New York Young Republicans, tells TT’s correspondent that voters - both Republicans and independents - are disillusioned.
They feel that Trump has not lived up to his promises, he tells TT.
He himself appreciates Trump’s immigration policy.
But some other issues have been overlooked, especially the economy. Trump has not done much there so far.
What do you think?