Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Nov 5: A day after the Republican Party suffered setbacks in key elections across three states, US President Donald Trump acknowledged that the prolonged government shutdown negatively impacted the party’s performance in Tuesday’s polls.

Meeting Republican Senate leaders at the White House on Wednesday, Trump conceded the shutdown had been a major factor in the losses, while also distancing himself from direct blame.

“The shutdown was a big factor, negative, for the Republicans. And they say that I wasn’t on the ballot was the biggest factor. I don’t know about that, but I was honoured that they said that,” Trump remarked.

On Tuesday night, Trump had echoed similar sentiments on Truth Social, writing that “‘TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,’ according to pollsters.”

Democrats retained control in the New York City mayoral and New Jersey governor races, while scoring major victories in Virginia, sweeping the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general contests.

In California, voters backed a Democratic-led redistricting initiative that could reduce the Republican seat count in Congress by at least five, threatening the GOP’s narrow 219–213 majority in the House of Representatives.

Trump also renewed calls for Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster, arguing it was blocking legislative progress.

“If you don’t terminate the filibuster, you’ll be in bad shape. We won’t pass any legislation,” he said.

The government shutdown, now in its 36th day, has become the longest in US history, adding to the political challenges facing Republicans.