Trump ran on a platform of peace. His war may have cost Republicans the midterms | Mohamad Bazzi

Donald Trump’s war against Iran, launched eight months ago, may have contributed to major Republican losses in last week’s midterm elections. The article argues that voters punished Republicans for breaking Trump’s pledge to avoid foreign wars, while the conflict’s economic costs deepened public anger.

NBC exit polling found 74% of voters considered the war a major or crucial factor in their congressional vote, and 63% said military action was the wrong decision. Opposition to attacking Iran had already reached 70% in a January Quinnipiac poll; the conflict later disrupted energy infrastructure and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing up global energy prices. Vice-president JD Vance also blamed the war, higher prices and related economic fallout for Republican losses.