President Trump surprised at midterm outcome, points out he has the power of veto
President Donald Trump expresses surprise at the results of the 2026 midterm elections after it is projected Democrats will take control of the U.S. House and Senate on ‘FOX News Democracy 26.’
Vice President JD Vance delivered a blunt assessment of Republicans' sweeping midterm losses Wednesday morning, pointing at the Iran war as the driving force behind the party's election-night defeats.
"But the real reason we lost is obvious to almost everyone," said Vance on X.
"The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night. If you'd like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that's at least honest. But everyone knows why we lost," said Vance. "And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there."
While President Donald Trump publicly addressed the results, which handed the Democratic Party control of the House and Senate come January, Vance remained quiet until posting a lengthy statement on X Wednesday. He argued that Republicans lost voters who backed the Trump-Vance ticket in 2024 amid frustration over the war, rising costs and U.S. relations with Israel.
TRUMP DRAWS RED LINE AGAINST NEWLY EMPOWERED DEMOCRATS, VOWING IMMEDIATE VETOES
Vice President JD Vance speaks during a campaign rally at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport on Oct. 13, 2026, in Tyler, Texas. Vance is in Texas to campaign for Republican candidates on the November midterm ballot. (Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images)
Vance's blunt assessment comes as speculation mounts over his own political future, with the vice president widely viewed as a potential 2028 Republican presidential contender. Vance has said he has not decided whether to run and planned to weigh his future after the midterms, raising fresh questions about how the GOP's sweeping losses could shape his White House ambitions.
"The main problem is that many people who voted for Trump/Vance in 2024 voted for Democrats in 2026," said Vance.
The midterm elections dealt Republicans a crushing defeat, with Democrats flipping at least seven Senate seats and more than two dozen House districts to seize control of both chambers of Congress.
TRUMP ADMITS IRAN WAR CONTRIBUTED TO GOP MIDTERM LOSSES, INSISTS IT WAS NECESSARY
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Ohio and New York on the final day before midterm election day, telling Republican voters to head to the polls as the GOP looks to maintain power in the House and the Senate. (Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images)
Vance's remarks mark a shift in his public assessment of the war's political consequences, after previously defending aspects of the administration's military campaign while expressing concerns about prolonged U.S. involvement overseas.
Trump said Wednesday he agreed with Vance’s post that Republicans lost over the War with Iran, saying it was "largely true."
"It drove the gasoline up a little bit short term and probably that's, probably it's true. But at the same time, if I had it to do again, I'd have to do it again, because long term, it's the only answer. You can't let Iran have a nuclear war," said Trump, speaking at the White House Ballroom construction site.
He added that the war was worth it and there was "no choice."
Beyond ending the war, Vance argued that Republicans must address the cost of living, recommit to an America First agenda and "change our relationship to Israel."
Vice President JD Vance walks to board Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on Nov. 2, 2026. (Tom Brenner/Getty Images)
"In the next few months, there's going to be a lot of gaslighting. Expect to hear any number of establishment politicians say the solution to our woes is amnesty. I'm open to the idea that we should change enforcement — by focusing more on businesses that hire illegal labor, for instance. But anyone pushing amnesty is lying to you," he said.
Vance said he remained hopeful about the country's future and urged voters angry over the election results to channel their frustration into renewed political action.
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Vice President JD Vance spoke to reporters at Joint Base Andrews following two midterm rallies in New York and Ohio on November 2, 2026. (Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images)
"To the people who are just pissed at the results, you should be. Let’s take that anger and get back to the work of saving our country," said Vance.
Vance said Republican analysts focused on the electorate’s "composition," whether it resembled the 2024 electorate and saw turnout holding up in many states.
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Vice President JD Vance speaks during for a campaign rally at Griffiss International Airport, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026 in Rome, N.Y. (Tom Brenner/Pool Photo via AP)
But a data analyst warned him that some Trump-Vance voters were angry and might vote Democratic, even if they still showed up.
Vance said that forecast proved accurate, arguing that defections among 2024 Trump-Vance voters were a bigger problem than turnout. He also cited a pollster’s view that Republicans’ economic messaging wasn’t sharp enough late in the campaign.
Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., reposted Vance's post with three red "100" emojis.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the vice president's office and the White House for comment.
