Leavitt Says Gas Prices Hurt Republicans in Midterm Losses

On November 4, Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that rising gasoline prices had weighed on Republicans in the midterm elections, even as she argued that voters had forgotten President Donald Trump’s policies and listened to what she called “the lying media.” She made the remarks while appearing on Fox News on election night, after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress.

Leavitt said the party of a sitting president usually loses seats in midterms, but also described gas prices as a daily reminder of broader economic conditions. She recalled gasoline costing $1.99 in some states before the U.S. operation in Iran, crediting Trump’s energy policy for those lower prices.

The war, launched in February, was followed by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for seaborne oil. The national average for a gallon of gas stood at $4.12, compared with $3.05 a year earlier. Trump acknowledged that the war had contributed to Republicans’ defeat, but said he did not regret the invasion.

Democrats’ victories included James Talarico’s 12-point win over Ken Paxton in Texas and Annie Andrews’ upset over Darlene Graham in South Carolina. Trump had backed Paxton in the Republican primary and supported Graham’s candidacy. In a social media post, he argued Republicans would have won if he had been on the ballot, though he had urged voters during the campaign to treat him as if he were.

Trump also said he was open to working with Democrats. The results left his party facing a Democratic majority in both chambers of Congress.

Voters Reject Trump’s Costs and War as Democrats Win Congress

On November 4, Democrats’ gains in both chambers of Congress delivered a clear rebuke to President Donald Trump’s record on the cost of living and the war in Iran. Even Karoline Leavitt, a former White House press secretary, conceded that soaring gas prices hurt Republicans.

Leavitt said pump prices reminded voters daily of economic conditions. The national average for a gallon of gasoline was $4.12, up from $3.05 a year earlier. The war, launched in February, was followed by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for seaborne oil. Trump himself acknowledged the conflict contributed to the Republican defeat, although he said he did not regret the invasion.

Rather than accept the force of voters’ concerns, Leavitt also faulted Americans for forgetting Trump’s policies and listening to what she called “the lying media.” She cited earlier prices of $1.99 in some states and credited Trump’s energy policy, but that argument did not erase the higher costs voters faced by election night.

The defeats reached candidates Trump personally backed. James Talarico beat Ken Paxton by 12 points in Texas, and Annie Andrews defeated Darlene Graham in South Carolina. Trump later claimed Republicans would have won had he been on the ballot, despite urging voters during the campaign to imagine that he was. Democrats now take control of both chambers, with Trump saying he is open to working with them.

Democrats Win Congress as Leavitt Faults Voters’ Memory and Media

On November 4, Democrats’ midterm victories handed them control of both chambers of Congress, while Karoline Leavitt argued that voters failed to remember the benefits of President Donald Trump’s policies. The former White House press secretary said Americans may have listened to what she called “the lying media.”

Leavitt pointed to gasoline prices of $1.99 in some states before the Iran operation, crediting Trump’s energy policy. She also acknowledged, however, that higher pump prices hurt Republicans and served as a persistent reminder of the economy. The national average reached $4.12 a gallon, compared with $3.05 a year earlier.

The Iran war, launched in February, was followed by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for seaborne oil. Trump said the war contributed to the Republican losses but maintained that he did not regret the invasion. The election also cost Trump-backed candidates: In Texas, James Talarico prevailed over Ken Paxton by a 12-point margin, while Annie Andrews beat Darlene Graham in South Carolina.

Trump argued that Republicans would have won if he had been on the ballot, even though he had urged voters during the campaign to pretend he was. The result gives Democrats control of both chambers. Trump said he was open to working with them, while the losses put the party’s candidates and campaign message under scrutiny.