United States President Donald Trump remained in his private residence at the White House on Tuesday evening, refusing to join guests gathered for a 2026 midterm election watch party. As the event in the East Room unfolded, the President stayed upstairs, reportedly consumed by frustration over mounting Republican losses.
Trump’s Silence and Meal Left Untouched
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Trump was described as being “paralyzed by anger,” opting to remain in silence while monitoring coverage on Fox News. The prepared meal in the East Room went untouched as the mood within the White House turned increasingly somber. Several high-ranking officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reportedly departed the event early to visit local bars as the night progressed.
The administration faced significant internal criticism following the night’s results. Sources cited by the Daily Mail indicated that Chief of Staff Susie Wiles is facing intense scrutiny, with some associates labeling her performance “nightmarish” due to unfulfilled expectations of a promised victory. Similar criticism has been directed at Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has incurred costs of approximately $47 billion. Many within the Republican ranks believe the cost of this conflict negatively impacted their electoral standing.
Fox News calls Minnesota for Flanagan while Trump is on the phone. Trump responds by ranting about how he won the state 3 times. (He didn't win once!) pic.twitter.com/fxhcOjUTrg
Public Criticism of Fox News and Party Leadership
The President’s frustration extended beyond his immediate staff to his long-standing relationship with media outlets. As reported by LA.LV and Lasi.lv, Trump utilized his Truth Social platform to launch pointed attacks against Fox News, specifically targeting host Jessica Tarlov. In one post, he described her as “dumb as a cork,” expressing an inability to tolerate her voice during the network’s election night coverage.
Trump’s grievances with the network were multifaceted. He alleged that Fox News’s editorial direction was responsible for declining ratings, claiming the channel was being insufficiently loyal to him. Lasi.lv noted that the President characterized the network’s polling as consistently poor, stating, “Fox News ratings are way down (27%!) because they spend too much time covering the Democrats who have gone crazy!”
Trump: "I’m going to become a Political Pundit, both good and bad, on the reasons these Candidates won and lost! President DONALD J. TRUMP" pic.twitter.com/2UmMN8WrDg
The President’s social media activity also included direct criticism of Texas Governor Greg Abbott. These public outbursts occurred against a backdrop of what sources described as a “very, very dark” atmosphere within the White House, with rumors circulating of an impending “cleaning” scheduled for the following day.
| Area of Conflict | Reported Issue |
|---|---|
| Iran Conflict Cost | Approximately $47 Billion |
| Fox News Ratings | Reportedly down 27% (per Trump) |
| Congressional Status | Democrats regained control of both chambers |
Broader Political Implications for the Administration
The midterm results, which saw Democrats regain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, alter the balance of power. This change is expected to complicate the administration’s legislative agenda for the remainder of the presidential term. As the White House prepares for potential personnel changes, the focus remains on how the administration will recalibrate its strategy in the face of a divided government.
The tension between the White House and conservative media, particularly Fox News, echoes previous periods of friction where the President felt the network’s coverage did not align with his political objectives.
For now, the administration remains in a state of transition. With the midterms concluded and the political environment altered, the White House is bracing for the fallout of a night that left the President isolated in his private quarters, watching the results shift against his party.
Trump just now, in his first post in three hours, writes: "I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE! Thank you for your attention to this matter." pic.twitter.com/72ZcY2v4P8
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TRUMP: I read at Fox that I'm not popular. The Fox polls are terrible. You ought to get yourself a good pollster 'cause your polls are the worst BAIER: But tonight actually the results are pretty close to what the Fox polls showed TRUMP: Well, I don't know about that pic.twitter.com/GlQ87NH15C
