Trump blames Iran war in part for Republican defeat
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Expresso das Ilhas
Donald Trump says the war in Iran contributed to the Republicans’ defeat in the midterm elections, won by Democrats in both chambers of Congress. The president nevertheless downplays the impact of his policy and cites rising fuel prices among electoral factors, according to Expresso das Ilhas.
Donald Trump on Tuesday attributed part of the Republican Party’s defeat in the midterm elections to the war being waged by the United States against Iran. He also congratulated the Democrats, whose projected victories give them majorities in the Senate and the House of Representatives, according to Expresso das Ilhas.
During a telephone interview with Fox News, the US president said voters approved of the war, while acknowledging that rising fuel prices may have affected the election. He said the result was not a judgement on his presidency and recalled that the party of the incumbent president rarely wins midterm elections.
Trump also distanced himself from the Republican defeat by pointing out that his name was not on the ballot. In Texas, he criticised Republican Governor Greg Abbott after Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton for a Senate seat.
The Democrats’ capture of both chambers had been announced in US election projections. The remarks follow several of Trump’s positions on the conflict, including his threat against Iran on 2 November and the announcement, on the same day, that operations targeting Iranian leaders had been suspended.
