Trump Defends Iran War Strategy After Vance Blames Midterm Losses
The president called the conflict one of the best decisions of his term, responding to Vice President JD Vance's claim that the war caused the GOP defeat.
By Luana Sato ·
President Donald Trump defended the United States' military action in Iran on Sunday evening, stating that he would repeat the decision if given the chance. The comments came one day after Vice President JD Vance publicly attributed the Republican Party's losses in the midterm elections to the conflict.
Vance posted a lengthy message on X last week, stating, "The reason we lost is the war." The post received immediate support from Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, who reposted it with the caption, "Every word of this is [100 emoji]."
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Trump offered a brief assessment of Vance's remarks. "A lot of people didn't like his comments," Trump said. "But not me." When asked if the remark strained their relationship, the president replied, "He was right, other than one thing."
Trump elaborated that Vance should have added a specific sentiment to his post. "He should have made one other statement, one statement that I think is very important, 'If you had it to do again, would you do it again? The answer is yes,'" Trump said. The president added that the Iran operation would go down as one of the best things the country ever did.
CNN senior White House reporter Kevin Liptak described the exchange as a striking rebuke to the vice president. Liptak noted that Vance's tweet appeared to be an attempt to distance himself from a failing initiative. He warned that the conflict is dividing the president's inner circle, particularly regarding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth, a proponent of the war, is now facing potential impeachment proceedings from congressional lawmakers that could begin as early as next week. Liptak said the real fear among White House officials is that defeated Republicans will feel they have nothing to lose. This shift may make them less loyal to Trump as they face the political reckoning.
The administration appears to be bracing for a combative period. After the midterms, Trump appointed longtime adviser Stephen Miller as his new chief of staff. Liptak said the move signals an intent to place hardliners in senior West Wing positions, showing no sign of a desire for compromise as Democrats take control of Congress.
