Concerns grow over potential election challenge as Democrats eye control of both chambers
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![Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Texas on Tuesday (local time). [Reuters]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/10/28/rcv.YNA.20261028.PRU20261028082301009_P1.jpg)
Donald Trump said Tuesday (local time) he would accept the results of the midterm elections — but only "if the election is conducted fairly," a conditional answer that leaves open the possibility of a challenge should Republicans suffer the losses widely expected.
Trump made the remarks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington before departing for a campaign rally in Texas, responding to a direct question about whether he would accept the midterm outcome.
The statement amounts to a conditional concession, with the "if fair" qualifier widely seen as preserving room to contest results by alleging fraud or irregularities after the fact.
The concern is particularly acute given that Democrats are targeting not only the House but also the Senate, raising the prospect of disputes over close Senate races in key battleground states.
Earlier, Trump directed the Justice Department to file a lawsuit demanding that results not be immediately certified if a Democratic candidate wins by a narrow margin in Alaska's closely contested Senate race.
Trump has long claimed, without clear evidence, that widespread fraud has plagued US national elections — including the 2020 presidential election he lost — and has sought to extend federal control over election administration, an area that falls under state authority.
Trump also doubled down on his plan to use his veto power if Democrats win a House majority in the midterms.
Asked how he would work with Democrats if they took control of the House, Trump said, "We'll figure it out. I have a very powerful veto."
He then added, "I hope that doesn't happen, but if it does, it's happened to many presidents before. With a strong veto, you can reach a deal."
Trump had made a similar point on Oct. 23, saying, "I'll veto every bill — veto, veto, veto — and then they'll come to me and say, 'How do we get this done?' That's how you negotiate."
The US president holds veto power over legislation passed by Congress; overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers — 67 votes in the Senate and 290 in the House.
mokiya@heraldcorp.com
