‘Red Wave’ Optimism Quickly Fizzles Among Republicans—Here's Why

Donald Trump Jr’s early evening prediction of a “bloodbath” at the midterm elections did not come to pass, with the race to control Congress still tight early Wednesday as Democrats defied expectations by pulling off victories in several battleground states, while a number of right-wing Republican candidates fizzled out.

Both chambers of Congress are still in play early Wednesday, despite late polling suggesting blowout victories for the Republicans riding a so-called “Red Wave.”

While control of the Senate hangs in the balance, Republicans have not yet managed to gain a single new seat while Democrat John Fetterman beat Trump-endorsed Mehmet Oz in the Pennsylvania Senate race to flip the seat held by retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey.

The GOP still remains poised to win the House, but its margin of victory is likely to be significantly slimmer than anticipated.