Donald Trump admitted that the war with Iran contributed to the Republicans’ defeat in the U.S. midterm elections, but made it clear that he does not regret the military strike against Tehran and that he would make exactly the same decision if he were faced with the same dilemma again.
Speaking to reporters at the site where the White House’s new reception hall is being built, the U.S. president acknowledged that the conflict had political costs for his party, mainly due to rising gas prices.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
At the same time, he largely agreed with Vice President Jay D. Vance’s assessment, who had attributed the Republicans’ electoral defeat to the war with Iran, while emphasizing that he is not considering replacing Pete Hegese. “I think he’s doing an excellent job,” he said.
Trump, asked whether he considers replacing Hegseth: No, I think he’s doing a very good job. https://t.co/IAWE8AQlnW
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 4, 2026
“I knew the war would affect the election”
When asked about Vance’s remarks, Trump acknowledged that the military conflict influenced Americans’ voting behavior.
“I think that’s largely true, because it caused a slight increase in gas prices in the short term,” he said.
Trump: I know how JD Vance feels about it. I think his post was good. https://t.co/zVlcH7DTKU
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 4, 2026
He argued that he had predicted the war would have consequences for the domestic political scene in the United States.
“I knew, I knew that the war would have an impact. But whether it had an impact or not, Iran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon,” he emphasized.
His remarks come after the Republicans’ heavy defeat in the midterm elections, with the U.S. president acknowledging that rising energy costs took a political toll on his administration.
“If I had to do it again, I would,”
Despite the electoral defeat, Trump defended the decision to take military action against Iran, insisting that preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons is a strategic priority.
“At the same time, if I had to do it again, I would do it again, because in the long run it’s the only solution,” he said.
“You cannot allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon,” he added.
The U.S. president also argued that the military operations have dealt crushing blows to the Iranian armed forces.
“As far as this war is concerned, I wouldn’t do anything differently. We have completely dismantled their armed forces. Their navy has been wiped out. Their air force has been wiped out,” he stated emphatically.
Trump: I knew the war was going to impact it. But whether it impacted it or not, Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. https://t.co/EMZ00TW6zC
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 4, 2026
The Day After for the Republicans
Trump also addressed the uncertainty surrounding future political candidacies, without making any specific predictions.
“Maybe no one will run. Maybe he won’t run. I don’t know who will be a candidate,” he said, without clarifying in that particular excerpt which person he was referring to.
His remarks reflect his effort to separate the political cost of the war from the assessment of his military decision.
On the one hand, the U.S. president acknowledges that the conflict and rising gas prices contributed to voter dissatisfaction. On the other hand, he insists that the military intervention was necessary and that the long-term goals of U.S. policy toward Iran take precedence over the short-term political consequences.
Whether the election defeat will influence the White House’s future decisions regarding the conflict remains to be seen, though Trump has made it clear that he does not intend to renounce the option of war.
Source: Proto Thema
