Trump loses his big bet on Alabama U.S. Senate race

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore takes the stage upon arriving at his election night party in Montgomery, Alabama, U.S., December 12, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In backing Roy Moore in Alabama's U.S. Senate race even though the candidate faced allegations of sexual misconduct with teenage girls, President Donald Trump made a risky bet - and lost big.

The victory by Democrat Doug Jones over the Republican Moore in the Alabama special election on Tuesday was a catastrophe for Trump, portending a Democratic wave next year that could cost Republicans control of one or both houses of Congress.