Donald Trump attributed Republicans’ losses in the Nov. 8 midterm elections to opposition to the war with Iran, rising fuel prices, and hostility toward Israel. (Foto: Instagram)
President Donald Trump attributed Republicans’ losses in the Nov. 8 midterm elections to opposition to Israel, the conflict with Iran and rising fuel prices. He said the outcome might have been different if he had been on the ballot, citing his popularity and the support he believes he receives.
“People didn’t like the war. They didn’t like that gasoline prices went up, after I had kept them low,” Trump said, adding that there was “an incredible level of hostility toward Israel.” The amount of U.S. military and financial aid to Israel, which has historically received support from both Republicans and Democrats, became a point of contention during the campaign.
Vice President JD Vance had suggested Republicans might need to reconsider their support for Israel. Trump said he agreed with Vance that the war affected the election result, but said he did not regret starting the conflict. In an interview with CBS, Trump argued that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, saying the decision could be judged differently in the short term and in the future. He said he had to do what was right for the country and would have faced even greater criticism if Iran had possessed a nuclear weapon during his term.
Trump also said other countries, including Israel, should repay the United States for the costs of the war. He argued that countries protected by the United States would not exist without its support, specifically saying Israel would not exist without U.S. backing.
The Democratic Party won majorities in both the Senate and the House, in what the report described as a historic setback for Trump. Governors were elected in 36 states: Democrats won 22 races and Republicans won 12. Five states that Democrats carried—Georgia, Iowa, Texas, Ohio and Nevada—had been governed by Republicans.
In Texas, Gina Hinojosa became the first Democrat elected governor in 36 years. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms won after 28 years of Republican gubernatorial victories.
