Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont delivered a pointed message to President Donald Trump following Democrats’ sweeping victories in the 2026 midterm elections, mocking the president’s call for Americans to vote as though he were personally on the ballot. Sanders’ statement suggests that voters followed Trump’s challenge and delivered a decisive rejection of his administration by handing Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.
Sanders posted the following message on X Wednesday morning:
“Trump asked the people to vote as if he were on the ballot. THEY DID. Thank you Americans from coast to coast.”
The post followed Democrats’ decisive midterm victory. Reuters reported that Democrats won the House and Senate, gaining at least 25 House seats and flipping multiple Republican-held Senate seats. The results significantly changed the balance of power in Washington for the final two years of Trump’s term.
Sanders’ message is a direct response to Trump’s campaign rhetoric. The president had urged Americans to vote as though he were personally on the ballot, tying the election to his administration’s policies and political standing. Sanders’ post turns that appeal into a criticism, suggesting that the election outcome demonstrated widespread opposition to Trump.
The senator’s criticism of Trump has been consistent throughout the president’s second term. Sanders has repeatedly accused the administration of moving the country toward oligarchy and authoritarianism, arguing that wealthy interests and executive power have undermined democratic institutions.
In February 2025, Sanders delivered remarks on the Senate floor warning that the Trump administration was moving the country toward an oligarchic society in which extraordinary power rested with a small number of unelected billionaires. He also argued that the administration was undermining the Constitution and the rule of law.
Sanders’ criticism has also focused on voting rights and election administration. In September 2026, he expressed concern that the administration was attempting to nationalize elections and potentially interfere with states’ constitutional authority to administer voting. He warned that the president could take steps intended to help Republicans retain control of Congress.
The senator’s election-day messaging also emphasized the importance of voter participation. Sanders urged Americans to exercise their constitutional right to vote and argued that democracy depends on citizens making their voices heard rather than allowing wealthy individuals to dominate the political process.
Sanders has also linked his opposition to Trump with his broader economic agenda. His longstanding political focus has included income inequality, the influence of billionaires, health care costs and protections for working families. His post-election message thanks voters for the outcome while implying that the election provides an opportunity to challenge Trump’s policies.
The Democratic victory gives Sanders and other members of the party greater influence over congressional proceedings. Democrats can now set committee agendas, pursue oversight investigations and advance legislation aimed at addressing economic and political concerns. Sanders’ statement does not identify specific measures, but his longstanding priorities suggest that affordability and economic inequality will remain central to his agenda.
Sanders’ message also reflects the broader Democratic interpretation of the election as a referendum on Trump’s administration. Reuters reported that voter frustration over the cost of living, the Iran war and Trump’s stewardship of the country contributed to the Democratic victory. Sanders’ post presents the result as an expression of public opposition to the president.
The senator’s phrase “THEY DID” is the central emphasis of the message. By capitalizing the words, Sanders underscores his claim that voters accepted Trump’s challenge and delivered an electoral outcome that changed the balance of power in Congress. The statement is celebratory and critical, but it does not specify a particular legislative action he intends to pursue.
Sanders concluded with “Thank you Americans from coast to coast,” acknowledging voters whose decisions contributed to the Democratic victory. His message presents the election as a rejection of Trump’s political leadership and an opportunity for Democrats to pursue a different agenda. The newly secured congressional majorities give the party greater authority to investigate the administration and advance legislation, although the extent of those changes will depend on what lawmakers do next.