Republican hopefuls blame Iran war and tariffs for midterm losses

Republican presidential hopefuls blamed the Iran war and tariffs for the Democratic blue wave that swept the US midterm elections, citing voter frustration over the cost of living. The losses hit Republican strongholds across the country. JD Vance, Ron DeSantis and Ted Cruz pointed to Trump's prolonged Iran conflict and trade agenda as key factors. Cruz said tariffs made everything too expensive, while Vance wrote that voters are angry at the administration for diverting focus from Americans. DeSantis called the elections "close to an extinction-level event" for the party, also citing Democratic ads on the Epstein case and congressional stock trading. Trump admitted the war drove gasoline prices up, which pushed voters away.