04.11.2026 09:21
US President Donald Trump acknowledged that after the losses Republicans suffered in the midterm elections, the Iran war’s increase in gasoline prices may have negatively affected voters. Trump, who argued that Americans support the Iran policy, said that high fuel prices are a short-term problem.
After the midterm elections held in the US on November 3, President Donald Trump made notable remarks after the Republican Party suffered significant losses in Congress. Speaking to Fox News, Trump, while assessing the election results, touched on the impact of the Iran war that began in February on the American economy and voters’ preferences. Acknowledging that rising gasoline prices may have negatively affected the Republicans’ election performance, Trump nevertheless defended his policy toward Iran.
“PEOPLE DID NOT WANT TO PAY MORE FOR GASOLINE”
Trump said he believed the American people supported the policy he pursued toward Iran, but that the economic costs caused by the war may have been decisive for voters.
In his statement to Fox News, Trump said, “People support what I have done on Iran, but they probably did not want to accept paying more for gasoline as a short-term consequence of it.”
Describing the increase in fuel prices as a temporary problem, Trump argued that it would bring gains in the long term. The US president described the economic pressure as “a short-term problem for a long-term gain.”
“WARNING OF A NEW MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST IRAN”
In his assessment of the election results, Trump also sent a message to Iran, stating that if the Tehran administration did not cooperate, American forces could continue military operations.
Trump, saying that a diplomatic agreement containing binding restrictions to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons was still possible, warned that if no result was obtained from the talks, the US could “finish the job.”
Trump’s remarks came at a time when diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran to end the war were continuing.
“ISRAEL IS NOW VERY RICH; IT DOES NOT NEED AID”
Trump also reiterated his decision regarding American aid to Israel. Arguing that Israel had become an economically strong country, the US president said that annual aid of approximately $4 billion was no longer necessary.
Stating that Israel had become “quite rich,” Trump defended his decision to end annual aid to the country.
In an earlier statement, Trump had said that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reached an agreement on the matter and that the aid would be cut at the end of the year.
However, the military aid arrangement currently in force between the US and Israel includes approximately $3.8 billion in annual support and continues until 2028. Details on how the aid will be ended this year have not yet been clarified.
“HE ASSESSED THE DEMOCRATS’ ELECTION SUCCESS”
Trump’s statements came after media projections that Democrats had won a majority in the Senate and were approaching a majority in the House of Representatives.
Assessing the losses Republicans suffered in the elections, Trump acknowledged that Democratic candidates had run a strong campaign. Stating that his political rivals had fought hard, the US president said he could cooperate with Democrats on various issues in the new term.
Trump stated that there was room to work jointly with Democrats on many topics, especially including immigration policies.
“I DO NOT WANT TO VETO LAWS FOR TWO YEARS”
In a separate statement to Politico, Trump commented on possible new power balances in Congress.
Reminding that as president he had the power to veto laws passed by Congress, Trump stated that nevertheless his priority was to work by reaching agreement with Democrats.
Trump said he preferred to cooperate with members of Congress rather than spend the remaining two years of his term vetoing bills.
This statement came after Trump said before the election that he was ready to use his veto power if Democrats won a majority in Congress.