Trump Acknowledges War Cost Republican Midterm Loss but Insists It Was Worthwhile - Thairath English

Donald Trump acknowledged it is quite true that the war with Iran was the reason the Republicans lost the midterm elections, but he insisted it was worth it to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

On Wednesday, 4 Nov 2026 GMT+7, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed views consistent with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who said the Iran war was the reason the Republican Party suffered a crushing defeat in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

“I think that’s quite true, because it caused gasoline prices to rise slightly in the short term,” Trump said near the White House ballroom construction area when asked about Vance’s statement, which seemed to implicate Trump himself.

“But if I had to do it again, I would, because in the long run, it’s the only answer,” Trump continued. “You cannot allow Iran to have nuclear weapons.”

Earlier that day, Vance posted a lengthy message on social media stating, “The real reason we lost is clear to almost everyone,” naming the Iran war as the main cause of the Republican Party’s major defeat.

“If you want to argue it was worth it, that losing Senate seats for the next six years was a price worth paying, then say so. Say it’s a price worth paying, whether you agree or not. At least that’s honest,” the Vice President said in the post.

President Trump said he was not surprised by Vance’s post. “I know how he feels about it. I think it’s... I think there’s no problem with that,” he said.

“I think it’s good. We already knew. I knew that when I decided to go in, and we stopped them from possessing nuclear weapons, and they will never get them,” Trump said.

When asked if the war was worth it, Trump firmly replied, “Yes,” adding, “As long as it concerns this war, I will not change my approach at all... I mean, we have no other choice.”

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