Trump concedes Democrats may win midterms and says he would veto their bills

US President Donald Trump has said he may have to become "Mr. Veto" if Democrats win a majority in the midterm congressional elections on Tuesday, 3 November. Bloomberg reported the remarks. Midterms are held halfway through a presidential term and fill the House of Representatives and part of the Senate, so the outcome determines how easily a president can pursue his agenda.

Bloomberg described the comments as a rare admission from Trump that his Republican Party could lose. He said Democrats would send bills and he would veto them. After a month or two, once all the bills had been vetoed, he said, they would come to him and strike a deal. Trump called that process a waste of time.

Campaign and polls

According to Bloomberg, Trump has been campaigning continuously, visiting states that have traditionally been Republican strongholds but where the party now faces a tougher fight. Voters are concerned about the high cost of living and the war in Iran.

Most polls indicate Democrats have good chances of winning the three House seats they need to take control of that chamber. They are also increasingly confident about the Senate, where polls show only a slim margin in seven races. Republican strategists say their internal data paints a more competitive picture in the Senate, with many key races still undecided or within reach.

In his speeches, Trump continues to claim the country has the "best economy in history" and that polls do not properly reflect Republican votes.

Earlier context

It was previously reported that European NATO members are preparing for the possibility that a Republican defeat in the midterms could prompt Trump to sharply escalate his attacks on the alliance.