Die Republikaner haben bei den Zwischenwahlen eine schwere Niederlage erlitten – wir veröffentlichen Details

President Donald Trump admitted on Wednesday that the war with Iran was a primary factor in the Republican Party’s historic defeat in Tuesday’s midterm elections, though he maintained that the military intervention was necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters at a construction site near the White House, the U.S. leader conceded that Vice President JD Vance was “largely correct” in attributing the electoral loss to the conflict. Trump stated that the war had driven gasoline prices up slightly in the short term, a factor that weighed heavily on voters. Despite this admission, the president insisted he would make the same decision again, arguing that allowing Iran to possess nuclear weapons was unacceptable. The Republican Party suffered a sweeping loss across all levels of government in the midterms held two years into Trump’s second term. Democrats secured clear majorities in both chambers of Congress, taking control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the Senate, Republicans lost seven seats, leaving them with 44 members compared to the Democrats’ 54, plus two independents who caucus with the majority. In the House, Democrats claimed 228 seats based on confirmed results, securing a majority in the 435-member chamber even as counting continued in 68 districts. The party also lost five governorships, including defeats in traditional Republican strongholds such as Texas, Alaska, Georgia, and Kansas. In Texas alone, Republicans lost races for high local offices, including attorney general and treasurer, along with majorities in the state legislature and supreme court. Vice President JD Vance, who had previously served as a vocal critic of American foreign interventions, explicitly blamed the Iran war for the party’s performance. In a post on social media platform X, Vance wrote that the reason for the loss was the war and that every honest conversation about the future must start there. He urged fellow Republicans who supported the conflict to acknowledge its political consequences rather than seeking alternative explanations. Vance also addressed critics of the war, acknowledging they had been right and recommending they vote for Republicans who share their views in the future. This stance appears calculated to distance him from the conflict ahead of a potential presidential run in 2028. While Trump accepted some responsibility regarding the economic impact of the war, he initially sought to shift blame elsewhere. In a phone interview with Fox News, he noted that the network gave too much attention to Democrats and criticized specific Republican candidates who lost despite his endorsement, such as Senatorial candidates Ken Paxton from Texas and Darlene Graham from South Carolina. He also suggested that if he had been on the ballot, the party would have won by a large margin. However, he later engaged directly with the issue of the war’s popularity, stating that while people understood the importance of his actions regarding Iran, the resulting price hikes were a liability. The outcome has intensified scrutiny of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has consistently advocated for the war alongside the president. CBS News reported that Trump consulted with advisors and allies regarding whether to keep Hegseth in his position following the defeat. Hegseth, who has also used the title Secretary of War since the Department of Defense was rebranded, faced tense congressional hearings where he defended the military budget and the campaign against Iran. When asked if he was considering replacing Hegseth, Trump denied it, stating that the official was doing a very good job. White House press secretary Anna Kelly echoed this sentiment, expressing full confidence in Hegseth and praising his leadership of the operations in Iran and Venezuela. Political dynamics within the Republican base remain fractured. Some influential figures in the Make America Great Again movement, including Blake Neff of the podcast associated with late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, argued that the 2024 election promises of ending endless wars were broken, overshadowing administrative achievements such as border security and industrial policy. Conversely, conservatives warned that the incoming Democratic majority might pursue radical policies, citing previous inflation under former President Joe Biden as evidence of the dangers of state subsidies. Trump dismissed concerns about potential impeachment proceedings by the new Democratic-led House, claiming there was no reason for such action and that it would destroy the Democratic Party. The White House issued a public notice on social media the day after the election, featuring a photo of Trump at the Oval Office desk with the caption: “Public Notice: Trump is still your president. Thank you for your attention to this matter.” This statement came amid reports that some voters in states like Arizona called election officials to complain that Trump’s name was not on the ballots, having taken his pre-election appeal to treat the midterms as a referendum on his presidency literally. Looking ahead, the focus shifts to the new congressional session beginning in January. Democrats are preparing a 100-day agenda aimed at lowering costs for gas, groceries, and healthcare, alongside extensive oversight and investigations into the current administration. Impeachment remains an option for the new majority. Meanwhile, the battle for the 2028 presidential nomination has already begun, with Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio frequently mentioned as leading contenders within the Republican Party. For now, the immediate political landscape is defined by a divided government, with an empowered Congress poised to challenge the executive branch on multiple fronts.