Trump Blames Iran War and Gas Prices for Historic Republican Midterm Rout

President Donald Trump attributed the Republican midterm election defeat to the cost of gasoline and the ongoing conflict in Iran, admitting in a Tuesday night interview with Fox News that voters were unwilling to accept the financial impact of the war. The 80-year-old president stated that while the public supports his actions in Iran, they resisted the short-term consequence of higher fuel prices. "I understand that; I don't agree with that," he said, adding that the administration believes it must "do something large" regarding the region.

Democratic forces seized control of both chambers of Congress in a landslide victory, according to projections from television networks and the Associated Press. After taking the House of Representatives, Democrats flipped Senate seats in at least six states, including Texas, Kansas, and South Carolina. This result ends the Republican hold on Congress and changes the dynamic for the final two years of Trump's presidency. Trump expressed surprise at the margin of defeat, noting that he had expected better results given the size of recent campaign rallies.

In an unusual display of praise, Trump congratulated the Democrats, telling Fox News, "They did a good job." He observed that the party had been waiting for this opportunity for 11 years but insisted the outcome was not a personal attack on him. During the campaign, Trump had frequently described his opponents using terms ranging from communists to Islamists. He confirmed that, unlike in 2020, he accepts the results and is prepared to work with the new congressional majority.

Several candidates who received Trump's explicit endorsement lost their races. In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews defeated interim Senator Darline Graham, securing the party's first Senate win in the state in 28 years. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton, ending a long streak of Republican victories in statewide offices. In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed won the Senate seat, a result that would make him the first Muslim member of the US Senate.

Trump maintained that his absence from the ballot was a primary factor in the losses, writing on social media that he would have won "IN A LANDSLIDE" if he had been a candidate. He criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott, whom Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated, for becoming a "RINO." A White House official speaking to Reuters noted that internal polling data from six weeks prior indicated the administration expected to lose both houses of Congress.

The White House signaled that the president intends to remain combative during the lame-duck period. Officials suggested that Trump may resume large-scale military action in Iran, arguing that a resolution to the conflict will lower gas prices and cause Democratic voters to regret their choice. A senior White House official told Reuters that Trump's resolve to stop the "Radical Left" will only grow stronger, urging the public to "Buckle up."

The administration is preparing for a legislative battle, with Trump warning that he will veto bills sent by the new Democratic Congress. He stated that he will stamp returned legislation with the word "veto." The outcome of the midterms leaves the president without a unified government for the remainder of his term, setting the stage for a contentious final stretch in office.