Trump admits Iran war caused election losses but ‘we had to do it’

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the Iran war was responsible for his Republican Party's resounding midterm election defeat. Asked whether he agreed with Vice President JD Vance earlier remarks that the Iran war was "the reason we lost", Trump told reporters outside the White House ballroom construction site that his comments were "largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term". "But at the same time, if I had it to do again, I'd have to do it again. Because long term, it's the only answer. You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon," he added. He also ruled out firing Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying "he's doing a very good job," despite his role in pushing for military action against Tehran. US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before the construction site of the East Wing ballroom at the White House in Washington, DC, on 4 November 2026 (Mandel Ngan/AFP)