Trump: we lost because I wasn't on the ballot, and Iran played a part

President Donald Trump says Republicans lost control of Congress mainly because he was not a candidate himself.

In a post on Truth Social early on Wednesday, and again in an interview with Fox News later in the day, Mr Trump said he would have won had his name been on the ballot. He also pointed to the war with Iran, saying it had cost the party votes even though, in his view, Americans understood why he acted. He complained that Fox News had given Democrats too much airtime.

He was unusually generous to his opponents, saying Democrats had done a good job and fought hard.

Mr Trump said he wants to work with the new Democratic majority, but stressed that he still has the power to veto any bill he dislikes. Before the vote he had warned he would become 'Mr Veto' if Democrats won. He also said he does not expect to change his cabinet.

The new Congress takes over in January, giving Democrats the power to block the President's plans and open investigations into his administration.