Trump Blames Republican Midterm Losses on Anti-Israel Sentiment, Iran War and Gas Prices

President Donald Trump said Sunday, Nov. 8, that Republican losses in the midterm elections reflected opposition to Israel, the war with Iran and the resulting rise in gasoline prices. He also said he believed the outcome would have been different if he had been on the ballot, citing his popularity and the support he says he receives.

Trump said voters disliked the war and higher gas prices, which he said he had previously kept low. He described anti-Israel sentiment as unusually strong. Although Israel has historically had support from both Republicans and Democrats, the volume of U.S. military and financial aid to the country became a contentious issue during the midterm campaign.

Vice President JD Vance had suggested Republicans may need to reconsider their support for Israel. Trump said he agreed with Vance that the war affected the party’s election performance, but said he did not regret starting the conflict. In an interview with CBS, Trump argued that Iran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. He said the decision could prove beneficial over the long term, while acknowledging it might not be viewed as a good choice in the short term.

Trump also said other countries, including Israel, should reimburse the United States for the costs of the war. He argued that the countries the U.S. protects should repay those expenses and asserted that Israel would not exist without U.S. support.

Democrats, the opposition party, won majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Governors were also elected in 36 states: Democrats won 22 races and Republicans won 12. Five states that Democrats won—Georgia, Iowa, Texas, Ohio and Nevada—had previously been governed by Republicans.

In Texas, Gina Hinojosa became the first Democrat elected governor in 36 years. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms won after 28 years of Republican victories in the state’s gubernatorial elections.