WASHINGTON — American voters have handed President Donald Trump a major setback. Democrats are projected to take control of both chambers of the US Congress after Tuesday's midterm elections, setting up two years of divided government for the rest of his presidency.

The House: NBC News and CBS News have both projected that Democrats will win a majority in the House of Representatives, ending four years of a narrow Republican majority. NBC News estimates Democrats will finish with at least 258 seats, well above the 218 needed for control. That would be the party's largest House majority since 1993.

The Senate: NBC News also projects Democrats will take the Senate. MS NOW reported that Democrats flipped enough Republican-held seats to reach 51 seats, the number needed for outright control, according to the Associated Press.

Vote counting was still going on early Wednesday, with around 75 House races yet to be decided, according to CBS News. The final seat totals could still move up or down.

A night of historic firsts

Several races produced results that made history.

Wisconsin: Crowley becomes the state's first Black governor. Democrat David Crowley, the 40-year-old Milwaukee County Executive, defeated Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany in the race for governor, according to a race call by the Associated Press. Crowley grew up in poverty in Milwaukee and was outspent by his opponent during the campaign. He will be Wisconsin's first Black governor.

South Carolina: Andrews breaks a decades-long drought. Pediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Republican Senator Darline Graham in a major upset, according to the Associated Press. Graham had been appointed to the seat after the death in July of her brother, longtime Senator Lindsey Graham. Andrews becomes the first woman elected to the US Senate from South Carolina and the state's first Democratic senator elected since 1998, in a state Trump won by nearly 18 points in 2024.

Kansas: first Democratic senator in 94 years. Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton unseated Republican Senator Roger Marshall, according to projections by US media, including Decision Desk HQ and CNN. He is the first Democrat Kansas has elected to the Senate since 1932.

Florida: Donalds makes history for Republicans. Not every historic result went the Democrats' way. Republican Congressman Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly to win the Florida governor's race, according to the Associated Press. Donalds, who had Trump's backing, will be Florida's first Black governor and, according to CBS News, the first Black Republican elected governor in US history. He succeeds Ron DeSantis, who was term-limited.

Other key Senate results

According to CNBC's live coverage:

  • Texas: Democrat James Talarico flipped a Republican-held Senate seat.
  • North Carolina: Former Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, flipped a Senate seat.
  • Georgia: Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff won re-election.

Why voters shifted

American news outlets point to economic frustration as a key driver. CBS News reported that discontent over the cost of living helped Democrats win control of the House. Voters had also faced higher gas prices linked to the war with Iran, an issue that weighed on Republicans across the country.

Democrats also performed strongly in places that had leaned Republican. According to NBC News, Democrats won districts Trump carried by 10 points or more in 2024. By NBC's count during the night, Democrats had flipped 20 House seats and Republicans none, despite new congressional maps drawn in several Republican-led states.

What divided government means

When the new Congress is sworn in in January 2027, Democrats will hold both chambers, while Trump remains in the White House until January 2029. In practice, this means:

  • Democrats can block or reshape much of the President's legislative agenda.
  • Congressional committees will gain power to investigate and oversee the Trump administration.
  • Trump can still veto bills. According to NBC News, Democrats will fall short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto.
  • Both sides will need to negotiate to pass budgets and avoid government shutdowns.

What it means for Ghana and Africa

US politics has a direct impact on Ghana. A Democratic Congress could take a closer look at decisions on tariffs, trade, foreign aid and immigration, all of which affect Ghanaian exporters, students and families with relatives in the United States.

That matters as Ghana pursues partner status in BRICS, a move that has raised concerns about possible US tariffs. Congress does not set every trade decision, but it can hold hearings, demand answers and shape the laws that govern America's relations with Africa.

What to watch

  • final seat counts as the remaining House races are called
  • reactions from the White House and congressional leaders
  • the first moves of the new Democratic majorities when Congress convenes in January