Trump Says Iran War Played a Part in Midterm Defeat

Trump said the war in Iran was one factor in the midterm results, which gave Democrats control of the House and Senate. In interviews on November 3, he told Fox News and The Wall Street Journal that Iran was part of the outcome.

Midterm Voters Reject Trump’s Iran War

The midterms delivered a rebuke to the Iran war, with Democrats taking control of the House and Senate and Trump conceding that the conflict played a part in the outcome. His acknowledgment came after an election campaign in which Democrats tied the war to rising fuel and everyday costs and made affordability a central issue.

Trump continued to defend the military strikes, saying they were necessary to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. But former National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent, who resigned in March over his opposition to the war, described the results as a referendum and called on Trump to end the conflict.

Kent warned that continuing the war could lead to a catastrophic escalation and said Trump should focus on improving Americans’ lives. His demand highlights the choice facing the president after voters handed Democrats control of both chambers.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf also celebrated the results, writing that Americans had said no to war.

Democrats Turn Iran War Into Midterm Affordability Weapon

Democrats made the Iran conflict part of their affordability pitch, linking the war to higher fuel prices and everyday costs as they campaigned for control of Congress. They won majorities in the House and Senate, and Trump acknowledged that Iran played a part in the outcome.

Trump nonetheless defended the military strikes as necessary to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Former National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent, who left the administration in March because of his opposition to the war, called the results a referendum and urged Trump to end the conflict.

Kent warned of catastrophic escalation and said Trump should spend the rest of his term improving Americans’ lives. His call puts pressure on the president to change course even as Trump maintains the strikes were necessary.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf celebrated the election results, posting that Americans had said no to war.