- President Donald Trump attributed Republican midterm losses to a great dislike for Israel, the Iran war, and rising gasoline prices, stating in an interview with CBS that the war was unpopular and gas prices had increased.
- Trump suggested that if he had been on the ballot, the outcome would have been different, citing his popularity and love from voters.
- Trump agreed with Vance that the Iran war contributed to the loss but did not regret launching it, arguing that preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon was historically correct.
- Support for Israel emerged as a political liability during the midterms, with critics like Michigan's Democratic Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed prominent, and even Vice President JD Vance suggesting Republicans reconsider their support.
- In the days following the elections, signals of major changes emerged, with Israeli journalist Amir Tibon warning that both US parties were competing to distance themselves from Israel.
- Tibon called for a new Israeli government to repair damage left by Netanyahu, and on election day Trump announced a reduction in annual aid to Israel.
- Netanyahu acknowledged the immense challenges facing Israel and stressed the need for urgent attention and building a diplomatic horizon after the war.
Former President Donald Trump has expressed that the Republican Party's losses in the midterm elections were influenced by a "great dislike" for Israel, the ongoing Iran war, and escalating gas prices. In a recent interview, he stated, “But there’s something beyond that. They didn’t like the war. They didn’t like the fact that gasoline went up, ‘cause I had it down at a low, and there’s a great dislike, incredibly, for Israel.”1245
Trump also suggested that had he been on the ballot, the results would have been different, citing his popularity: “I think if I was on the ballot, it would’ve been a much different situation because you saw the level of popularity and love.” He acknowledged that the US military and financial support for Israel became a political liability during the elections, with figures like Michigan’s Democratic Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed openly criticizing Israel.3678
Even Vice President JD Vance indicated that Republicans might need to reconsider their traditional support for Israel. Trump agreed with Vance, linking the Iran war to the Republican losses but maintained that he does not regret initiating the conflict, stating, “You can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”
He emphasized that countries like Israel must share the financial burdens of the war, asserting, “Those countries that we’ve protected are going to pay us back any and all costs that we’ve had for the war ‘cause without us, they wouldn’t exist.” As political dynamics shift, Trump’s remarks highlight the evolving landscape of US-Israel relations and the implications for future elections.
“Trump agreed with VP Vance that the Iran war cost Republicans, but stood by the decision, saying preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon was 'historically... a very good decision.' He also demanded Israel and other protected nations reimburse US war costs, asserting 'without us, Israel would not exist.'”
