Trump defends Iran war after Republican midterm defeat, rejects firing Hegseth and unveils plans for fortified White House ballroom
President Donald Trump defended his decision to wage war against Iran on Wednesday, November 4, acknowledging that the conflict contributed to Republican losses in the U.S. midterm elections while insisting he would make the same decision again.
Speaking at a White House event devoted to his planned ballroom, Trump initially focused on the project’s construction, security features and materials, making no reference to the election results during more than 20 minutes of unscheduled remarks.
He described the venue as potentially “the most beautiful ballroom anywhere in the world” and said it would feature bulletproof walls and glass, protection against drones and missiles, and a roof built with unusually heavy steel.
Trump also discussed a facility capable of accommodating more than 100 large drones, an exceptionally rare marble floor and the possibility of hosting the presidents of Russia and China at the venue.
The event took place one day after Democrats won control of Congress, dealing a major setback to Trump’s party.
When questioned about the election results, Trump acknowledged that the Iran war had damaged Republican prospects, partly because of its effect on gasoline prices.
“I think it’s largely true, because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term,” he said.
Asked whether the war had been worth the political cost, Trump replied: “Yes. You have no choice. You have to do it.”
“I knew the war was going to impact it,” he added. “But whether it impacted it or not, Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump said he would not change his decision to launch the military campaign and suggested that its duration remained under his control.
Asked when the war would end, he answered: “Whenever I wanted to.”
He also rejected reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth could lose his position following the Republican defeat.
“No, I think he’s doing a very good job,” Trump said when asked whether he was considering replacing Hegseth.
Trump attributed part of the electoral setback to Republican candidates’ inability to reproduce the enthusiasm generated by his own campaign appearances.
“We weren’t able to transfer the love to the candidates,” he said.
Despite the defeat, Trump suggested he could work with congressional Democrats, provided they did not pursue what he described as a destructive approach.
“They’ve already called. They want to talk about things. That’s fine,” he said.
The president also rejected a suggestion that he had promised to end the Iran war immediately after the midterms, responding: “I didn’t say that.”
His remarks combined a defense of the administration’s military strategy with an acknowledgment of its domestic political consequences, as the White House prepares to face a Congress controlled by the opposition.