Nov 4, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Trump blames shutdown for Republicans' election losses to Democrats

Rebecca Falconer

President Trump, wearing a navy jacket with a US flag pin at the top of his left lapel, white shirt and red tie, glares into the camera as he steps out of a car with two men in dark suits flanked either side of him. — President Trump in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday. Photo: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

President Trump suggested the government shutdown was to blame for Republicans' losses to Democrats in key elections on Tuesday night.

The big picture: After Democrats won the Virginia and New Jersey governor elections and Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani beat Trump's pick Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was not on the ballot.

What they're saying: "'TRUMP WASN'T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,' according to Pollsters," said Trump in the Tuesday night post that was mostly written in capital letters.

He did not elaborate on which pollsters he was quoting and representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
"Pass Voter Reform, Voter ID, No Mail-In Ballots. Save our Supreme Court from 'Packing,' No Two State addition, etc. TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!!!" he added in another post later on Tuesday night.

Of note: The government shutdown reached its 35th day on Tuesday, equalling the record set during Trump's first term.

Go deeper: Trump readying "living hell" for GOP senators over nuking filibuster

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Trump blames shutdown for Republicans' election losses to Democrats

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