Trump administration fractures widen after midterm defeat over Iran war fallout

President Donald Trump's Republican Party suffered a crushing defeat in the US midterm elections, exposing deep internal divisions as Vice-President JD Vance publicly blamed the Iran war for the loss and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faces renewed impeachment calls. Vance directly identified the conflict as the principal reason Republicans lost Congress, breaking from his previous support of the military campaign. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly discussed leaving his post, though he and the White House deny the claims. Hegseth faces investigations from Democrats and a revived impeachment effort from Republican Congressman Thomas Massie. Trump has publicly backed Hegseth, praising his performance and dismissing criticism. However, reports suggest internal discussions about replacing him, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis mentioned as a possible successor. The Iran war has become Trump's biggest political liability, with the president acknowledging it drove up gasoline prices while defending the campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.