No regrets: Trump says Iran war justified despite polls drubbing

US President Donald Trump acknowledged that his attack on Iran and resulting gasoline price increases contributed to Republican midterm election defeats but maintained the action was justified. In a series of interviews following Tuesday's elections, Trump admitted the economic impact of the conflict affected voter perception despite his administration's claims of economic strength.

The president told Fox News that while Americans support his stance on Iran, they weren't prepared for the immediate economic consequences. "People agree with what I'm doing on Iran, but they really probably weren't willing to do the short-term consequence of paying more for gasoline. I understand that. I don't agree with it," Trump stated.

When pressed about Republican losses, Trump doubled down on his decision to attack Iran, telling the Wall Street Journal: "I did the right thing. I would have done it again." This position came despite the party's significant setbacks in the midterm elections.

Economic Fallout

Republican strategist James Davis confirmed that the war contributed to the party's electoral difficulties, particularly through economic channels. "The war was definitely part of it and has helped shift the electorate toward Democrats," Davis told Al Jazeera.

Davis emphasized that the economic fallout from the conflict, including higher energy and especially diesel costs, had affected all sectors of the economy and intensified Americans' concerns about affordability. The economic impact became a significant factor in voters' decision-making process.

Candidate Blame

Trump refused to acknowledge any strategic failings, instead blaming candidates for the Republican defeats. "I wasn't on the ticket," Trump told The New York Times. "And because I wasn't on the ticket, we couldn't get enough people out to vote."

The president faulted the losing Republicans, many of whom he had handpicked and for whom he had held multiple rallies. "Some of the candidates that I endorsed fought me," he claimed, adding that "some of them had a lot of flaws, and obviously they were not acceptable to the voters."

Trump specifically criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott, suggesting the longtime ally had become a "Republican in name only" (RINO) without elaborating. "If Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, hadn't become a RINO in the last six months of his Political Life, he wouldn't have lost," Trump posted on Truth Social.

Future Approach

In a preview of his likely governing style over the next two years, Trump posted a picture of his trademark red cap emblazoned with the word "veto" to convey his determination to block legislation carried by the now Democratic-run Congress.

Despite the election results, Trump told Fox News he had no plans to make changes to his cabinet, attributing the losses to "a mood in the air" rather than his administration's performance. "It had nothing to do with my cabinet. It's just a point in time. There was a mood in the air, I guess."

In a conciliatory note, Trump said he wanted to work with Democrats but warned he would stand his ground. "I think we'll work with the Democrats, and we'll get along very well with them. If we don't, we'll be very tough on them, they'll be very tough on us," he said, though he ruled out cooperation on transgender issues.