United States President Donald Trump has blamed the country’s ongoing war with Iran and rising gasoline prices for his Republican Party’s losses in the 2026 midterm elections, following a major electoral victory by the opposition Democratic Party.
The Democrats secured control of both chambers of Congress, the Senate and House of Representatives, in a significant setback for Trump’s administration and its legislative agenda.
Trump acknowledged the impact of the conflict during a telephone interview with Fox News Democracy 26, saying voters appeared to support his position on Iran but were unwilling to bear the financial consequences of the war.
“Well, I say this: congratulations to the Democrats. They did a good job. They’ve been looking for this one for 11 years, and they finally got it. But I don’t view it as a hit on me,” Trump said.
He also admitted that the rising cost of gasoline may have contributed to the Republican losses.
“I think a part of it was Iran, but at the same time, 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,” he told Fox News.
The conflict has disrupted international oil shipments, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran restricted movement through the strategic waterway, triggering a rise in global crude oil prices.
