Trump cites dislike of Israel as key factor in GOP midterm losses alongside war with Iran

US President Donald Trump said growing dislike of Israel among American voters was a key reason for the Republican Party's midterm defeat, alongside the war with Iran and rising gasoline prices. In a 60 Minutes interview, Trump insisted his popularity remained strong but cited voter opposition to the war and fuel costs. He also claimed Washington was close to a deal with Tehran before the election.

US President Donald Trump said that growing dislike of Israel among American voters was one of the main reasons for the Republican Party's sweeping defeat in the midterm elections, alongside the war with Iran and rising gasoline prices. In an extensive interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, conducted at the White House on Friday and scheduled to air Sunday, Trump offered his most detailed public assessment yet of the election results, which cost Republicans control of both chambers of Congress. Asked to explain the defeat, Trump insisted that his personal popularity remained strong and suggested that Republican candidates had failed to translate his support into votes. He pointed to large crowds at his rallies but acknowledged other factors, including the war and gas prices. Trump also claimed that Washington and Tehran had been close to reaching an agreement before the election, and he defended the American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, arguing they prevented the destruction of Israel. The president's assertions about Iran's remaining nuclear capabilities and Tehran's intentions were not accompanied by new independently verifiable intelligence assessments.