Trump Responds to JD Vance on Midterm Election Losses

President Donald Trump pushed back against Vice President JD Vance’s post-mortem analysis of the midterm elections, stating that his second-in-command left out a vital clarification regarding the war in Iran.

Speaking to reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, before boarding Air Force One on November 8, 2026, President Donald Trump addressed the remarks made by Vice President JD Vance regarding the Republican Party’s legislative losses.

The vice president argued that voter frustration over the cost of living, America’s relationship with Israel, and specifically the war in Iran drove voters toward the opposition. The vice president questioned whether losing control of the Senate for the next six years was a worthwhile cost to pay for the conflict.

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.

JD Vance, Vice President

Trump acknowledged that a lot of people didn't like his comments, but not me, noting that Vance was largely correct in his assessment of voter sentiment. The president noted that voters disliked the war and the fact that gasoline prices had risen.

While endorsing parts of Vance's evaluation, Trump emphasized that his deputy omitted a justification for the military conflict. The president maintained that undertaking the campaign against Iran was necessary to prevent nuclear proliferation.

He was right, other than one thing. He should’ve made one other statement—one statement that I think is very important: If you had it to do again, would you do it again? The answer is yes.

Donald Trump, President

Trump reiterated this stance during a primetime interview on CBS 60 Minutes, which aired Sunday night. He stressed that allowing Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon would pose an existential threat. The president added that if a nuclear weapon had existed during his term, he would have faced far worse criticism.

I can tell you, if I had it to do again—this historically, for history, will go down as one of the best things we ever did. Because if they ever had a nuclear weapon, they would blow up the world. You know why? Because they’re crazy.

Donald Trump, President

Reports surrounding the inner workings of the administration highlighted tension over the vice president’s public critique. Laura Loomer stated she received this information from a White House official, though a Trump aide had previously asserted that the president was briefed beforehand and had no issues with it.

Conversely, administration officials pushed back against suggestions of internal friction.

The White House Rapid Response social media account also addressed the public commentary, stating that there was ZERO DAYLIGHT between @POTUS and @VP on Iran regarding the administration’s national security goals.

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