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President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Republican losses in several East Coast races were due to his name not appearing on the ballot and voter frustration over the government shutdown.
“TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT, according to Pollsters,” the president wrote on Truth Social after Democrats won elections in New York City, New Jersey and Virginia.
The elections were viewed by some as an early test of Republican strength ahead of the 2026 midterms. Republicans struggled in suburban and swing districts in Virginia and New Jersey that party leaders had hoped to win.
President Trump also argued that the government shutdown was frustrating to voters, dominating headlines in the weeks leading up to Election Day.
Three key battles led to Democratic victories. In New York City, socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani became the first Muslim to serve as the city’s governor. He defeated both the Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa and Independent candidate and former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo. More than 2 million voters reportedly cast their ballots in the election.
President Trump blasted Mamdani ahead of the election on Tuesday.
“If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds, other than the very minimum as required, to my beloved first home, because of the fact that, as a Communist, this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival!” he wrote.
“It can only get worse with a Communist at the helm, and I don’t want to send, as President, good money after bad. It is my obligation to run the Nation, and it is my strong conviction that New York City will be a Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster should Mamdani win. His principles have been tested for over a thousand years, and never once have they been successful,” he added.
In New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill was projected to win over Republican Jack Ciattarelli. The call was made after 8 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday.
In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governor’s race, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Democrats also won the lieutenant governor’s race.
Concerns for Republicans also arose in California, as the state is projected to approve Proposition 50, which would allow a new House map that would redistrict the state with lines more favorable to Democrats for the 2026 election.
