Washington, November 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US President Donald Trump has blamed the Iran conflict, rising petrol prices and unpopular candidates for Republican losses in the midterm elections, while defending the military action against Tehran as necessary to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In an interview with Ross Douthat for CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Trump acknowledged that voters were unhappy with the war and its economic consequences but insisted that the decision to attack Iran was justified.
“They didn’t like the war. They didn’t like the fact that gasoline went up, ’cause I had it down at a low,” Trump said.
Asked about the defeat of Republican candidates he had endorsed, Trump sought to distance himself from the results, pointing out that he was not on the ballot. He defended his campaign efforts, saying he had held around 30 rallies in approximately 28 days, but suggested that some supporters had stayed home or were dissatisfied with the candidates.
Trump also disputed the suggestion that his economic policies had failed to convince voters. Citing employment figures, stock market gains and investment in factories, he argued that the economy was improving but conceded that the administration’s communication had been inadequate.
“I think it was bad messaging,” he said, blaming the media for failing to highlight positive economic developments. He predicted that Americans would see improvements in the coming months as investments and construction projects translated into economic activity.
The Iran war featured prominently in the discussion after Vice President J.D. Vance blamed the Republican setbacks on the conflict in a social media post. Trump broadly agreed with Vance’s assessment but maintained that the military action was necessary.
“And my answer is an emphatic yes because you can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that Vance had been involved in the decision-making process.
Asked whether he intended to escalate the conflict following the election, Trump replied: “Well, I’m not looking to. I don’t think there’s any reason to.”
He claimed Iran had been close to reaching an agreement before the polls and suggested the Republican losses had given Tehran renewed hope. However, he offered no timeline or specific terms for a possible deal, while predicting that an agreement would eventually be reached.
Trump and Douthat also disagreed over the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. While the President described the waterway as open, Douthat questioned whether shipping could operate without a substantial US military presence.
Trump further said that countries receiving US protection would reimburse Washington for the costs of the war. The interview did not include confirmation from those governments or a response from Iran to his account of negotiations.
US midterm elections are held halfway through a president’s four-year term, with all seats in the House of Representatives and roughly one-third of the Senate contested. The results determine the balance of power in Congress. Republicans lost their majorities in both chambers in the election.
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