(The Center Square) Amid a devastating loss for Republicans Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump has remained defiant as he takes stock of his party’s showing.
Trump, who stayed at the White House Tuesday, hosted a watch party in the East Room, flanked by members of his cabinet and administration.
Once it became clear Republicans would lose control of both chambers of Congress, the president claimed the loss was because he wasn’t on the ballot.
“I wasn’t on the ballot and if I was, we would have won in a landslide!” Trump posted Tuesday night.
Despite the loss, Trump commended Democrats, telling Fox News that “Democrats did a good job,” adding that “they fought hard.”
The president added that he is willing to work with Democrats, including on the hot-button issue of immigration; however, he warned that he will be using his power to veto bills.
“After a couple of months of vetoes, they’ll call, and they’ll say, ‘How do we get this stuff done?’ And we’ll work together,” he said. “I have the power of veto.”
Trump acknowledged that the massive loss was in part due to Trump’s decision to strike Iran and the subsequent high energy prices.
The president added that he thought Republican candidates would have done better; he even took aim at Texas Republican Gov. Gregg Abbott, accusing him of turning into a RINO (Republican in name only) recently.
Congress is scheduled to reconvene next week, with several confirmations remaining on the line and a looming government funding deadline.
The president has no open press events on his schedule for Wednesday as of the time of publication.
Trump’s last public event was held Monday afternoon in front of the Reflecting Pool as he used the refurbishing of a historic landmark as an opportunity to make a last-ditch effort to make a case for Republicans ahead of the midterms.
The president used the last month of the election to host more than 30 rallies in battleground states.
