Trump says Vance is "largely true" that the Iran war cost Republicans the midterms, but says he would do it again

President Trump agreed on Wednesday, Nov. 4, that the war with Iran hurt Republicans in the midterms. He also said he would make the same decision again.

Trump spoke to reporters while touring construction of the White House ballroom, in his first public remarks since Tuesday's losses, ABC News reported. He and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed a beam that workers then lifted into the structure.

Asked about Vice President JD Vance's post on X saying "the reason we lost is the war," Trump called it "largely true," according to Arab News and ABC News. He said the war "drove the gasoline up a little bit short term." But he said that "long term, it's the only answer," and that "you can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon." If he had it to do again, he said, he would.

The scale of the losses

Democrats are projected to hold at least 54 Senate seats and more than 250 House seats, Democracy Now reported in its Thursday, Nov. 5, headlines, a result it compared with the post-Watergate elections of 1974. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis described the results as close to an "extinction-level event" for Republicans, according to the same report. It also said Iran's leadership warned that any renewed attacks would draw a far wider response.

Trump also said on Wednesday that he would stay out of the race to lead House Republicans, Roll Call reported. Reps. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan are competing for minority leader after Speaker Mike Johnson stepped aside. Republicans vote on Tuesday, Nov. 10.