09.11.2026 08:12
US President Donald Trump attributed the Republicans' defeat in the midterm elections to the Iran war, rising gasoline prices, and reactions toward Israel. Stating that voters were uncomfortable with the war and the increase in fuel prices, Trump said, "Incredibly, there is great dissatisfaction with Israel." Trump argued that his not being a candidate in the elections also affected the results.
After the Republican Party lost control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections held in the US on November 3, President Donald Trump comprehensively assessed the reasons for the defeat for the first time. Speaking to CBS television's 60 Minutes program, Trump said that voters were affected by the Iran war, rising fuel prices, and the discomfort created by policies toward Israel. Trump's remarks, especially about Israel, drew attention.
"THERE IS GREAT DISSATISFACTION WITH ISRAEL"
Asked why Republicans failed in the elections, Trump raised voters' discomfort with the war and economic developments. The US President said, "They did not like the war. They did not like the rise in gasoline prices. And, incredibly, there is great dissatisfaction with Israel."
Arguing that the negative attitude toward Israel affected the election results, Trump also cited the war itself and fuel prices among the main reasons for the defeat. However, the US President did not share details or polling data on which voter groups the dissatisfaction with Israel was concentrated in.
"I WAS NOT ON THE BALLOT"
While assessing the election results, Trump, recalling that his own candidacy was not at issue, said that some Republican candidates were not sufficiently embraced by voters. Stating that he ran an intensive campaign for the candidates he supported, Trump argued that the results would have been different if he had been in the race.
Trump, who did not attribute the Republican Party's election defeat solely to the candidates, acknowledged that the economic and political consequences of the war also influenced voter behavior.
HE STOOD BY THE IRAN WAR DECISION
Although the US President acknowledged that military operations against Iran politically harmed the Republicans, he defended the decision to go to war. Trump, saying that Iran must be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons, stated that if he were to decide again under the same conditions, he would approve the military operation again.
Trump also stated that he agreed with Vice President JD Vance's assessment that the Iran war was influential in the election defeat. Saying that he was not opposed to Vance's statements, Trump expressed that despite the political cost of the war, he believed his decision was correct.
DEMOCRATS TOOK CONTROL OF BOTH CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS
In the midterm elections in the US, the Democratic Party won the majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate, ending Republican control over Congress. The results created a new political picture for legislative activities during the remaining part of the Trump administration's term.
Trump, meanwhile, in his assessment after the election defeat, highlighted the war, the high cost of living, and voter reaction toward Israel, sharing his views with the public on the reasons for the Republicans' loss.