Trump Cites Dislike of Israel Among Reasons for Republican Midterm Losses

Original report

President Donald Trump cited hostility toward Israel, opposition to the Iran war and rising gasoline prices among his explanations for Republican losses in the U.S. midterm elections. In an interview recorded at the White House on November 6 and released on November 8, he also argued that his absence from the ballot had hurt his party. Republicans lost control of both the House and Senate, according to the interview transcript. Trump described one factor as “a great dislike, incredibly, for Israel.” He offered that assessment alongside dissatisfaction with the war and fuel costs. He said he had campaigned for Republican candidates and drawn large rally crowds, but that some voters who supported him did not like the candidates seeking office. Interviewer Ross Douthat challenged that explanation by pointing out that Trump had endorsed candidates who lost. Trump defended his endorsements and maintained that the results would have been different had he been running himself. He said his personal support had not carried over to some of those candidates. Asked about the decision to go to war with Iran, Trump said he would make it again because Iran could not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. He acknowledged that the decision could appear politically unfavorable in the short term, while arguing that history would view it favorably. He also claimed that his actions had prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.