Trump Blames Iran War, High Fuel Prices for Republicans’ Midterm Defeat

United States President Donald Trump has blamed the war with Iran and rising fuel prices for his Republican Party’s heavy losses in the November 3 midterm elections, following Democratic victories in both chambers of Congress.

Trump made the remarks during an interview with Fox News on Tuesday night, acknowledging that the conflict with Iran had contributed to the party’s poor performance at the polls.

Asked whether the war played a role in the Republican losses, the president responded: “Iran was a piece of it.” He also pointed to rising petrol prices, saying American voters were unwilling to pay more for fuel because of the conflict.

Despite acknowledging the political impact of the war, Trump said he had no regrets about ordering military action against Iran. He maintained that launching the conflict was the right decision and insisted he would make the same choice again.

The president also argued that his absence from the ballot contributed to the Republican defeat, suggesting that the party would have performed better if he had personally contested the election.

“I wasn’t on the ballot and if I was, we would have won in a landslide,” Trump said.

The midterm results marked a major setback for Republicans, with Democrats winning control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The outcome gives the opposition party greater influence over congressional investigations, legislation and oversight of the Trump administration when the new Congress begins in January 2027.

Democrats also recorded victories in several states that Trump carried during the 2024 presidential election, including Texas, Kansas and South Carolina, in results that challenged longstanding Republican dominance in parts of the country.

The losses come as the administration faces questions over the economic consequences of the Iran conflict, particularly fuel prices and the cost of living. Trump’s comments acknowledged the political significance of those concerns, although his assessment of the reasons behind the Republican defeat remains his own interpretation of the election results.

With Democrats preparing to take control of both chambers, Trump is expected to face increased congressional scrutiny during the remaining years of his presidency. The election outcome could also complicate efforts to advance his legislative priorities, including tax and economic policies.