Trump Blames Gas Prices as Democrats Take Congress
Trump said voters may have supported his actions against Iran but were unwilling to accept the resulting increase in fuel costs. He described the price rise as a short-term consequence of a policy he believes will bring longer-term benefits, and defended the campaign as important to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Average U.S. gasoline prices were about 36% higher than a year earlier on November 3, or roughly $1 more per gallon, while diesel prices had climbed about 70%. Disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil, have constrained supply since the U.S. and Israel began airstrikes on Iran in February. The White House has said oil prices should fall significantly when the conflict ends.
Democrats’ victories give them majorities in the House and Senate, putting Trump’s legislative agenda and nominations in opposition-controlled chambers. Trump said he would veto legislation he considered unacceptable but predicted the two parties could eventually reach agreements. He also congratulated Democratic leaders and said he did not view the results as a personal defeat because he was not on the ballot.
Trump additionally criticized several GOP contenders for not rallying his backers, including candidates who had previously opposed him. He said he was surprised by the party’s performance despite holding large rallies. Fighting with Iran continues at a reduced level, and recent limited U.S. attacks near Qeshm, an island within the Strait of Hormuz, have taken place.
Voters Rejected GOP as Gas Costs Rose Under Trump
Democrats’ gains put the president’s agenda before an opposition-controlled Congress after voters registered discontent amid steep increases in fuel costs. Trump himself identified gasoline prices as a likely factor in Republican losses, even as he argued that voters accepted his Iran policy and should regard the economic impact as temporary.
The squeeze is measurable: average U.S. gasoline prices were about 36% above the prior year on November 3, and diesel prices had risen about 70%. The disruption followed U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in February and attacks on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that previously carried a substantial share of seaborne oil. The White House says prices should fall once the war ends.
Democrats now hold both chambers, positioning them to block Trump’s legislation and nominees and investigate his administration. Trump responded by threatening vetoes of bills he considers unacceptable, while predicting that negotiations could eventually follow. His explanation that voters balked at the cost of his Iran campaign underscores the political stakes of a policy whose consequences reach U.S. households at the pump.
Trump criticized several GOP contenders for not rallying his backers, including some who had opposed him in the past. He congratulated Democrats but rejected the idea that the election was a personal defeat, saying he had not been on the ballot. The conflict continues at a reduced level, with recent limited U.S. attacks taking place on Qeshm, an island within the Strait of Hormuz.
Democrats Win Congress as Trump Vows to Block Their Agenda
Democrats’ midterm victories put them in position to block the president’s agenda, reject nominees and investigate his administration. Trump made clear he would not simply accept their program, warning that he would veto bills he regards as unacceptable, while saying the parties could negotiate after the standoff.
Trump said higher gasoline prices likely contributed to Republican losses, but defended his Iran policy as a short-term cost tied to a longer-term security goal. He argued that Iran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. Average U.S. gasoline prices were about 36% higher than a year earlier on November 3, and diesel prices had risen about 70% amid disruptions to oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House expects oil prices to fall significantly after the war ends. Hostilities have eased from their early intensity but continue on a limited scale, and recent limited U.S. attacks have occurred on Qeshm, an island in the Strait of Hormuz. The election therefore leaves voters facing both the economic consequences of the conflict and a Congress controlled by the president’s opponents.
Trump praised Democrats for campaigning effectively but said he was surprised by the Republican result. He also faulted several GOP contenders for not inspiring his backers, including candidates who had previously opposed him. He rejected the election as a personal defeat because he was not on the ballot.
Reported by Business Insider, Fox News, The Boston Globe.
