Trump Congratulates Democrats, Acknowledges Iran War Played a Role in Their Success

US President Donald Trump offered rare praise for his Democratic rivals on Tuesday following their sweeping victory in the midterm elections, while acknowledging that the Iran war may have contributed to the Republican Party's defeat.

However, the 80-year-old president refused to accept personal responsibility for the outcome, which significantly reshapes the political landscape for the final two years of his presidency. Instead, he sought to shift the blame towards fellow Republicans.

"Congratulations to the Democrats. They did a good job," Trump said during a telephone interview with FOX News Democracy 26. He added that Democrats had been waiting 11 years for such a victory but insisted he did not consider the results a personal setback.

The remarks marked a notable departure from Trump's usual rhetoric. Throughout the midterm campaign, he repeatedly attacked Democrats, describing them with labels ranging from communists to Islamists.

Trump also said he accepted the election results, unlike his response to the 2020 presidential election, and expressed willingness to work with Democrats as they prepare to take control of Congress.

"I can work with them on many things," he said.

However, he warned that he would not hesitate to use his presidential veto power against legislation he opposed, even if Democrats presented multiple bills for his consideration.

Trump also acknowledged that the Iran conflict may have influenced voters, particularly amid growing public dissatisfaction over the war and rising oil prices.

"I think a part of it was Iran," he told Fox News, while maintaining that voters understood the significance of his actions towards Tehran.

Trump Blames Republican Candidates

Despite acknowledging the possible impact of the Iran war, Trump's conciliatory remarks did not extend to his own party.

During the campaign, he repeatedly urged Republicans to campaign as though he himself were on the ballot. However, following the defeat, he argued that his absence from the ballot was actually an advantage for Democrats.

"If I was on the ballot, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

He later announced that he would take on the role of a political commentator to explain why Republicans had lost.

One of his first targets was Texas Governor Greg Abbott, whom Trump criticised for allegedly becoming a "RINO" (Republican In Name Only), arguing that this had contributed to his defeat against Democrat Gina Hinojosa.

Trump also faced questions over several Republican candidates he had personally endorsed and campaigned for across the country.

The White House, meanwhile, questioned the quality of some Republican candidates, with an official arguing that Trump had done more to promote them than they had done for themselves.

White House Prepares for Political Fallout

Inside the White House, Trump and senior cabinet members watched the disappointing election results unfold during a reception in the East Room.

The results raise questions about how Trump will navigate the final two years of his second term with Democrats controlling both chambers of Congress, potentially limiting his legislative agenda.

However, the White House signalled that Trump was unlikely to adopt a conciliatory approach towards his political opponents.

There is also growing speculation that the president could resume large-scale military operations against Iran, despite the conflict's apparent unpopularity among American voters.

A White House official argued that Democrats who supported the opposition would eventually regret their decision once oil prices declined following a resolution to the Iran conflict.

The official also issued a warning about Trump's future political approach, suggesting that his determination to confront what he calls the "Radical Left" would intensify.

"Buckle up," the official warned.