Vance blames Iran war for GOP midterm defeat, breaking with Trump

Vice-President JD Vance blamed the Republican Party's decisive midterm defeat on the war President Donald Trump launched against Iran, publicly rebuking one of Trump's most consequential actions. Vance stated the war was the obvious reason for losing control of both the House and Senate. Trump disputed that he admitted the war caused the loss, instead blaming his absence from the ballot and defending the conflict as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Vance, a likely 2028 presidential contender, questioned the political cost, noting the historic scale of the defeat. Vance, a former Marine critical of past Middle East conflicts, had been quiet on the war before outlining steps for Republicans, including ending the war and changing relations with Israel. He also declined to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, contrasting with Trump.