00:00US President Donald Trump acknowledged that the war in Iran likely hurt Republicans in the midterm elections,
00:06but insisted he would do it again.
00:08He was responding to Vice President J.D. Vance's comments earlier
00:12for assertion that the war was the reason Republicans lost.
00:18In a post on X, Vance said voters who turned against Republicans were angry about the Iran war,
00:24the cost of living, and US ties with Israel,
00:27which receives billions of dollars in American aid each year.
00:31His comments mark a sharp public break with Trump over the war,
00:35which the President continues to defend.
00:37Mr. President, Vice President Vance says the reason Republicans lost last night was the war in Iran.
00:45Well, I think it's largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term,
00:51and probably it's true.
00:54But at the same time, if I had it to do again, I'd have to do it again,
00:57because long term, it's the only answer.
00:59You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon.
01:02The Iran war, now in its ninth month, has been unpopular among Americans since it began.
01:08On the campaign trail, Democratic candidates blame the conflict for higher patrol prices
01:13and the rising costs of everyday goods.
