Vice-President JD Vance blamed Republican midterm losses on the Iran war after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. President Donald Trump largely accepted that account of the election but defended his decision to fight. Vance urged his party to end the war and focus on living costs as Republicans debated their defeat.
US Vice-President JD Vance blamed the Iran war for Republican midterm losses after Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives and Senate.[1], [2]
In a statement on X on 4 November, he argued that people who supported the Trump-Vance ticket in 2024 had switched to the Democrats. He said those defending the war's political cost should make that case openly.[1]
President Donald Trump largely agreed that the war had affected the election, while saying he would make the same decision again. He defended the decision to launch military action and said he would have done nothing differently. Trump said he knew Vance's views and accepted the statement. Vance had publicly backed the conflict since the United States and Israel attacked Iran in February.[1]
Vance urged Republicans to end the war, focus on living costs and inflation, put American interests first and change the relationship with Israel. The vice-president has not formally announced a presidential campaign. Trump has praised both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio without announcing an endorsement for the next Republican presidential nomination. Vance's list described the direction he wanted his party to take.[1]
