Fleischer rejects Vance's Iran war claim as GOP midterm excuse

Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer publicly rejected Vice President JD Vance's claim that the Iran war caused the Republican midterm defeat, arguing the ceasefire was the real problem. Fleischer stated on X that the war should have ended decisively six months ago with the Strait of Hormuz open and the Iranian regime's leadership destroyed. He criticized the negotiated ceasefire as ineffective, leaving the U.S. in a "no-man's land" with higher prices and troops still deployed. Vance, who had opposed the military course and sought diplomatic solutions, blamed Trump's war for the Democratic landslide. Trump defended his war decision while calling Vance's analysis largely accurate, as Washington viewed the vice president's remarks as positioning for 2028.