---
title: "Vance Blames Iran War as Republicans Split"
url: https://www.herewashingtondc.com/2026/11/05/vance-iran-war-republicans-blame-midterm-losses/
date: 2026-11-05T08:44:20-05:00
modified: 2026-11-05T08:44:20-05:00
author: "HERE City National Desk"
categories: ["National", "Politics"]
site: "HERE Washington DC"
attribution: "HERE Washington DC"
---

# Vance Blames Iran War as Republicans Split

*Source: [HERE Washington DC](https://www.herewashingtondc.com/2026/11/05/vance-iran-war-republicans-blame-midterm-losses/) — November 5, 2026 by HERE City National Desk*

*From the HERE City National Desk*

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republican leaders offered sharply different explanations Wednesday and Thursday for the party’s heavy losses in Tuesday’s midterms, with Vice President JD Vance putting the blame squarely on the war with Iran.

In a post on X, Vance said the war was the reason Republicans lost and suggested the party should push to bring the conflict to an end. His comments helped steady oil markets overnight on hopes the administration might seek a deal with Tehran.

President Trump took a different tack on his Truth Social account. He singled out Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who lost his reelection bid, writing that Abbott had drifted from the party in his final months and would otherwise have won. Trump also argued Republicans would have won in a landslide had his own name been on the ballot.

Trump paired that with a warning to the incoming Democratic majorities, posting an image of a red cap printed with the word VETO in place of his usual campaign slogan.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called the results a near wipeout for his party and said the party had failed to aim its advertising money at the issues that move voters.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has led the unpopular war, is facing criticism from some Republicans, including Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, even as Trump has publicly stood by him.