Trump links Iran war, anti-Israel sentiment to Republican losses
New: Trump tied rising gas prices and public opposition to war to Democrats taking both chambers of Congress.
U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that the war with Iran, higher gasoline prices and worsening sentiment toward Israel helped drive Republican losses in the Nov. 3 midterm election. In an interview on the 60 Minutes program at the White House that aired Sunday, Trump said voters “do not like war” and were affected by rising gasoline prices. He also said there was “a very great dislike” of Israel. The defeat left Republicans losing control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. While acknowledging the political cost, Trump defended the U.S. strikes on Iran, saying they were meant to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Asked about further escalation after the election, he said he was not seeking it.