Trump Vows to Become 'Mr. Veto' If Democrats Win Congress

President Donald Trump says he already has a plan if Democrats take back Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections: he will start saying no. “I guess I’ll become Mr. Veto,” Trump told the New York Post’s Pod Force One podcast in an interview excerpt released Sunday, according to Reuters. “And then at some point, we’ll probably make deals.”

Fox News shared a video clip of the exchange with columnist Miranda Devine on X on Sunday morning, saying Trump laid out his strategy for dealing with a potential Democratic-controlled Congress and would veto legislation before eventually negotiating compromises.

"I guess I'll become Mr. Veto."

President Trump lays out his strategy for dealing with a potential Democratic-controlled Congress in an exclusive interview with Miranda Devine.

Trump says he would veto legislation before eventually negotiating compromises, while expressing hope… pic.twitter.com/n63QdC5MV0

— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 1, 2026

Veto first, deal later

Reuters reported that Trump said he expects he could issue vetoes for “a month or two” before reaching compromises with Democrats if Republicans lose control of Congress. Fox News said in its post that the president also expressed hope that Republicans keep their majorities after Tuesday’s vote.

The math explains why the veto pen matters. Under the system Reuters described, a vetoed measure needs two-thirds majorities in both chambers to override the president, a bar no narrow majority can clear on its own.

Italy’s ANSA news agency, which also reported the remarks Sunday, said that when Trump was asked for his final message to voters, he pointed to the economy and the military, saying the number of Americans working is the highest it has ever been, that the armed forces are strong, and that poverty numbers are the best ever.

Part of a bigger White House plan

The “Mr. Veto” comments line up with a Reuters report Sunday that the White House has spent months preparing for a possible Democratic takeover. According to Reuters, senior officials including deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and budget director Russell Vought have worked with the White House Counsel’s Office since April to identify executive actions on immigration, tariffs, housing costs and federal spending that Trump could pursue without congressional approval.

Reuters also reported that Trump has repeatedly invoked national emergencies to expand his ability to act without new legislation. Congress can vote to end those emergencies, the outlet noted, but Trump could veto such a move.

The White House pushed back on talk of Republican losses. “This administration and commonsense Republicans will continue to secure our borders, restore law and order, putting more money back into the pockets of hard-working Americans, and deliver wins for the American people,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis said, according to Reuters.

What’s at stake Tuesday

According to Reuters, Democrats need a net gain of four seats in the House to overturn Republicans’ narrow 218-214 majority, and would also need to flip the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 edge. Reuters said opinion polls favor Democrats to win the House, while the Senate remains too close to call.

Trump has spent the past month holding rallies across the country trying to preserve Republican control, Reuters reported. If voters hand Democrats the gavel anyway, the president has told them exactly what comes next: the veto pen first, and the negotiating table later.

Sources

• Fox News on X: https://x.com/FoxNews/status/2116920830542176612
• Reuters via Khaleej Times: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/americas/white-house-maps-path-to-govern-without-congress-if-democrats-win
• ANSA: https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/mondo/2026/11/01/trump-diventero-mr-veto-se-i-democratici-vincono-la-maggioranza_e51d65c8-0c46-4737-93ca-ead1f0649798.html
• Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16256801/Trump-veto-president-Democrats-2026-midterms.html

Reporting by Daily Beltway.