United States President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the ongoing war with Iran contributed significantly to the Republican Party’s poor performance in the November 4 midterm elections.
Trump made the admission on Wednesday while addressing reporters at the newly constructed White House ballroom, following an election in which Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress.
The US president responded to comments by Vice President JD Vance, who had linked the party’s electoral losses to the ongoing conflict with Iran and its impact on the American economy.
Asked whether he agreed with Vance’s assessment, Trump admitted that the vice president was largely correct, pointing particularly to the increase in fuel prices resulting from the conflict.
“It’s largely true,” Trump said.
The president’s remarks came amid growing concerns within the Republican Party over the political consequences of the war and its impact on voters ahead of the next presidential election.
Trump also addressed speculation about the future of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, dismissing suggestions that he was considering removing him from office.
Defending the defence chief’s performance, the president said Hegseth had served his administration effectively.
“He’s done a very good job,” Trump stated.
On the possibility of working with Democrats following the Republicans’ defeat, Trump expressed willingness to cooperate with opposition lawmakers, provided their proposals did not undermine his administration’s agenda.
He, however, reminded Democrats that he retained the constitutional power to veto legislation passed by Congress.
The president’s comments followed a significant electoral setback for Republicans, with Democrats securing control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, potentially complicating Trump’s legislative agenda for the remainder of his presidency.
The outcome is expected to increase political pressure on the Trump administration as it navigates the Iran conflict, rising fuel costs and domestic policy disagreements.
