Latest Vance Blames Iran War as Republicans Split
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WASHINGTON, D.C. · DC & NATIONAL EDITION · THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026
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Vance Blames Iran War as Republicans Split

Published November 5, 2026 at 8:44 am | By HERE City National Desk, Staff Reporter

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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.

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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.

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Section: More Washington DC politics news

Filed under: Washington DC Politics News

What's Happening
What did JD Vance say about the losses?
He said on X that the Iran war cost Republicans the election and that the party should push to end it.
Whom did Trump blame?
He faulted some candidates, singling out Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and said Republicans would have won with him on the ballot.
What did Ron DeSantis say?
He said Republicans aimed their ad spending poorly and called the night a near wipeout for the party.
HERE City National Desk
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