Hollywood Reacts to Democratic Midterm Sweep with Public Celebrations

Two years after a Republican victory that enabled Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, the 2026 midterm elections produced a decisive shift in power. Democrats retake control of both the House and Senate, a result that prompted immediate and vocal reactions from prominent figures in the entertainment industry.

Rosie O’Donnell, who has long opposed the President, posted a video on social media declaring that the administration had ended. She described the morning as beautiful and stated that the country had sent a loud message to Trump and his allies. O’Donnell, who recently returned to the New York stage with her one-woman show Common Knowledge, called for investigations to begin immediately. She addressed the President directly, telling him, "You don't get to define us, you madman."

John Cusack shared a more direct message on the platform Bluesky. He noted that Texas and South Carolina had effectively rejected Trump. Cusack argued that Trump and Elon Musk were being defeated in Texas and across the nation. He further stated that the impeachment and removal of the President were non-negotiable goals. He praised Abdul El-Sayed, the winner of the Michigan Senate race, for overcoming a smear campaign to win a progressive seat.

Other stars expressed their relief through shorter posts. John Leguizamo, a supporting actor in the film The Odyssey, wrote on Instagram that this was a time for redemption and that it was now necessary to fix the political mess. Bette Midler, a consistent Democrat, wrote on Instagram that she was overjoyed and thanked the American public for saving their country.

James Woods, known for his support of the Trump brand, offered congratulations to the Democrats. He admonished Republicans for their massive losses on Tuesday. The election results saw the Republican Party lose the governor’s office and a Senate seat in a state that had historically leaned red, a development described as a long-held dream for the Democratic Party.

Normani, the singer, posted on X that the results in Texas made her proud. She used a blue heart emoji in her message. Henry Winkler, an Emmy-winning actor known for his roles in Barry and Happy Days, expressed his feelings after a night of posting about the races. He wrote on X that dreams do come true.

The collective response from these public figures underscores the high emotional stakes attached to the midterms. The shift in congressional control, combined with the loss of key state offices for the GOP, marked a distinct change in the political balance following the previous two years.