Former President Barack Obama celebrated Democratic victories in Tuesday’s midterm elections after the party captured both the House and Senate, arguing that voters had rejected divisive politics and delivered a message to President Donald Trump.

Obama, who campaigned extensively for Democratic candidates during the closing weeks of the election, said the results demonstrated that Americans wanted a different approach from Washington.

The American people "want a politics that brings people together rather than divides them," Obama said in a statement posted on X.

Democrats flipped six Senate seats and at least a dozen Republican-held House districts, giving the party control of both chambers of Congress for the final two years of Trump’s presidency.

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Obama praised the Democratic candidates who prevailed Tuesday, describing them as "outstanding candidates" who were "united by shared values, a belief in public service, and a commitment to putting the people of their districts and states first."

With Democrats preparing to assume congressional control while Trump remains in the White House, Obama urged his party to use its new power aggressively during the administration’s remaining two years.

"While this administration has another two years in office, our job now is to roll up our sleeves, make changes wherever we have the power to do so, prevent further damage, and lay the groundwork for the future," Obama said.

Tonight, the American people sent a clear message — they want a politics that brings people together rather than divides them, and leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face.

These results were only possible because outstanding candidates stepped forward in every region of the country — including in areas once considered long shots. They came from different backgrounds and represented a range of political perspectives, but were united by shared values, a belief in public service, and a commitment to putting the people of their districts and states first. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of election officials and volunteers from both parties who helped ensure a smooth election and carried out one of the most essential functions of our democracy. While this administration has another two years in office, our job now is to roll up our sleeves, make changes wherever we have the power to do so, prevent further damage, and lay the groundwork for the future. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 4, 2026

Obama had taken an active role on the campaign trail ahead of Election Day.

On October 24, he campaigned in Cleveland for Sherrod Brown before appearing in Detroit on behalf of Abdul El-Sayed. Four days later, Obama traveled to Georgia to rally for Jon Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms.

One of the more unusual controversies from Obama’s campaign appearances involved his criticism of Trump’s renovations at the White House.

During an appearance in Ohio, Obama mocked the president’s preference for gold decorations.

"He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory," Obama told supporters.

Makes speeches for 500k a pop. Hasn’t eaten dinner that costs less than $250 in years. Has never been in a Cheesecake Factory. Undefeated at condescending to regular folks. Will always be known for a presidency that ushered in the Trump era to begin with.

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) October 25, 2026

Trump responded by defending both the White House renovations and the Cheesecake Factory restaurant chain.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later joined the exchange by conducting a television interview outside a Cheesecake Factory in Washington. Bessent praised his meal and recommended the restaurant to "the Martha's Vineyard set."

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on President Obama mocking the Cheesecake Factory:

“This is the man who built the museum and it looks like Darth Vader’s tomb.” Bessent also told @FoxBusiness' @FBNNicoleMac he frequents the Cheesecake Factory and always orders the French dip cheeseburger — and suggested the “Martha’s Vineyard set” should “give it a try.” — Chase Williams (@ChaseWilliams_) October 26, 2026

The Cheesecake Factory dispute even continued into election night, when White House staff ordered takeout from the restaurant for their watch party as returns came in.

The White House is serving up Election Night payback to Barack Obama, courtesy of the Cheesecake Factory.

Fox News' @pdoocy reports staffers ordered dinner from the restaurant in an apparent jab at Obama’s criticism of the White House decor. Tune in to Fox News Channel for more live midterm coverage. — Fox News (@FoxNews) November 4, 2026

The results ultimately delivered Democrats control of both chambers and produced several major Republican losses around the country.

Texas provided one of the biggest surprises of the night, with Democrat James Talarico defeating Trump-backed Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Senate race.

Democrats also captured Senate seats in Kansas and South Carolina, ending decades-long Republican winning streaks in all three states.

Republican losses extended beyond Congress.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott lost his reelection bid to Democrat Gina Hinojosa, while Vivek Ramaswamy was defeated in his campaign for governor of Ohio.

In Georgia, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson and became the first black woman elected governor in United States history.

Republicans did manage to hold several important offices in Florida.

Trump ally Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly in the gubernatorial contest, while Sen. Ashley Moody retained her Senate seat.

Those victories, however, came against a national result that saw Democrats take control of the House and Senate while making significant gains in several traditionally Republican states.

Trump responded to the results on Truth Social by arguing that his absence from the ballot made a major difference.

"I wasn't on the ballot, and if I was, we would have won in a landslide," Trump wrote.

The president now faces the final two years of his term with Democrats controlling both chambers of Congress.

Obama portrayed that shift as a mandate for Democrats to begin challenging Trump’s agenda while preparing for the next presidential election.

The midterm outcome also gives Democrats control of congressional committees, legislative priorities and the broader oversight agenda during the remainder of Trump’s presidency.

For Obama, who spent the final days of the campaign appearing alongside Democratic candidates in several battleground states, Tuesday’s results represented what he described as a "clear message" from voters.

Trump, however, maintained that the outcome should not be interpreted as a personal rejection of his presidency, pointing instead to the fact that his own name was not before voters.

The competing interpretations are likely to shape the political battle in Washington as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress and Trump begins the second half of his second term.

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