Trump admits Iran war hurt GOP in midterms but defends military campaign

The war has been unpopular with Americans according to opinion polls, especially as rising prices have added to concerns about the cost of living. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Oct. 29, 2026. (Joyce N. Boghosian/White House) President Donald Trump acknowledged that the war he started with Iran contributed to Republican losses in midterm elections, but he defended his decision and ruled out any changes to his Cabinet as a result of the resounding defeat. Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as voters across the country vented their frustration with the economic hardships that months of war in the Middle East have inflicted.

In separate interviews with Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, Trump said the nearly nine-month war had hurt Republicans politically, particularly by driving up fuel prices, but insisted the military action was necessary to prevent the Iranians from obtaining a nuclear weapon. “I think a part of it was Iran,” Trump told Fox News on Tuesday night. “But at the same time, people understood the importance of what I’ve done with Iran.” WATCH: In some of his first comments following Tuesday's midterm elections, President Donald Trump acknowledged the war with Iran contributed to Republican losses. However, he defended the decision and ruled out any changes