Trump congratulates Democrats on midterm wins and says the Iran war played a role in the Republican defeat

Summary

US President Donald Trump congratulated Democrats after they gained control of Congress in the midterm elections, saying they had done "a good job" on Tuesday. He acknowledged that the war in Iran may have played a part in the defeat of his Republican Party, and one outlet reported that he linked the losses to rising petrol prices, saying voters backed his actions against Iran but were reluctant to pay more at the pump. Speaking to Fox News, he said "I think a part of it was Iran" and praised the Democratic campaign. He did not take personal responsibility for the result, which will upend the last two years of his presidency. One report said he also warned he was ready to use his executive power to veto any Democratic legislation he felt like.

Timeline

1. Straits Times

   4 Nov 2026, 05:45 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Trump congratulated Democrats on the US midterms, said the Iran war played a role, and warned he was ready to use his executive power to veto any Democratic legislation he felt like.

2. France 24

   4 Nov 2026, 07:13 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Trump said Democrats had done "a good job" after gaining control of Congress, acknowledged the Iran war may have played a part in his party's defeat, and did not take personal responsibility for the result.

3. Euronews

   4 Nov 2026, 07:25 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Trump acknowledged rising petrol prices linked to the war in Iran contributed to the Republican defeat, said voters supported his Iran actions but were reluctant to pay more at the pump, and praised Democrats.

4. Euronews

   4 Nov 2026, 07:25 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Trump acknowledged rising petrol prices linked to the war in Iran contributed to the Republican defeat, said voters supported his Iran actions but were reluctant to pay more at the pump, and praised Democrats.

5. Hindustan Times

   4 Nov 2026, 08:16 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Trump congratulated Democrats for doing "a good job" after the party inflicted devastating defeats on his Republican allies, and blamed high fuel prices from the Iran war for the Republican losses in the midterms.

6. Africanews

   4 Nov 2026, 08:34 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Trump had rare praise for rival Democrats after their stunning US midterm elections victory and admitted the Iran war may have played a part in the defeat of his Republican Party.

7. France 24

   4 Nov 2026, 11:13 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Trump told Fox News "I think a part of it was Iran" when asked about the midterm defeat, and that he praised the Democrats for their campaign.

8. France 24

   4 Nov 2026, 11:24 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Trump had rare praise for Democrats after their sweeping midterm victory, admitted the Iran war may have played a part in his party's defeat, and refused to take any personal responsibility for the result.

9. Al Jazeera

   4 Nov 2026, 19:59 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Trump acknowledged the Republicans' crushing defeat was partly due to the war on Iran, in a segment headlined as Iranians celebrating the Democratic victory in the US midterms.