If Donald Trump's speech regarding Iran was intended to calm Americans' fears, it failed. It has done nothing to ease the growing concern among Republicans in key battleground states who believe the war is driving up costs and increasingly hurting their chances in the midterm elections.
On Wednesday evening, Trump declared that the US offensive in Iran was coming to an end, but warned that military operations would intensify in the “next two to three weeks.” He also tried to specify the war goals – mentioning, for example, the destruction of Iran's nuclear potential – and emphasized that he was never about changing the regime. He brushed off the topic of rising oil and gas prices, calling it a “short-term increase.”
For many GOP strategists and local party leaders involved in key congressional and gubernatorial elections, the message was too modest, too late and too chaotic. Many did not hide their outrage.
“What the hell did he just say?” — wrote one GOP strategist from a key state in a text message to POLITICO after the president's speech. “A quick summary would be helpful [działań wojennych] and indication of further direction. Instead it was Sean Hannity bullshit [amerykański komentator] had to explain.”
Domestic politics aside
Trump's decision to attack Iran and the resulting surge in oil and gas prices are new sources of worry for Republicans who were already concerned about public opinion being critical of Trump's domestic policies. On Wednesday evening, they did not hear much information from him that would indicate a change in course.
Interviews with more than half a dozen activists and party presidents from seven key states showed that most of them fear one thing — that the prolonged conflict in Iran is overshadowing the White House's message on U.S. affordability. And that it could hurt their chances of winning the midterm elections in November.
Republicans interviewed by POLITICO were particularly concerned that Trump was downplaying the financial burden of the war. He does not notice how it affects prices, on the contrary – he boasts of the “strongest economy in history” without “inflation”. Two different strategists compared these latest comments to President Joe Biden's repeated claim that the economy is doing better than Americans think.
“I'm not sure people will believe these claims of a strong economy,” Todd Gillman, Michigan Republican district chairman, wrote in a message to POLITICO. “Inflation is definitely more under control than under Biden, but the prices of many products have not fallen.”
American opposition to the war
Due to the lack of clear statements from Trump regarding the end of the conflict in the region, US stock futures markets responded with a decline, and average domestic gasoline prices exceeded $4. (PLN 14.9) per gallon. Oil prices rose to over $111 on Thursday morning. (PLN 412) per barrel.
Republicans expected Trump to provide more detailed information on the strategy to end the war and the factors that led the United States to intervene militarily. “I think he could have been a little more specific, could have elaborated more on the threats Iran poses to the United States,” said one GOP strategist from Wisconsin. “I don't know how much he can delve into these issues based on intelligence, but maybe he could have been a little more comprehensive on that point.
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Polls consistently show that the majority of Americans oppose the military operation in Iran – they outnumber those who support it by several percent. The conflict in the Middle East is already dividing members of the MAGA movement loyal to the president, alienating young men who believed in his “America first” message.
Democrats are also starting to attack Trump in election ads, accusing Republican lawmakers of prioritizing the president's multi-billion dollar offensive over improving voters' living conditions.
Too late
One Republican Party official working on the House of Representatives elections in one of the key districts noted that voters “were relieved to hear that we are not going to stay there [w Iranie]”.
— However, I don't think anyone believes that gasoline prices will simply fall. There's really nothing to help convince the public of this, he said.
Some believe that Trump delivered his speech about Iran too late.
“It's something that probably should have been done at the beginning of the conflict,” said Dennis Lennox, a GOP strategist from Michigan.
Other party members, however, said the speech was delivered at the right time and showered the president with praise. Mark Levin, a staunch Trump ally and conservative commentator, wrote on X that he delivered an “EXCELLENT SPEECH.”
Brent Littlefield, a Republican Party strategist involved in several election campaigns, including the fight for Maine's 2nd Congressional District, praised Trump's decision to appeal directly to Americans.
“The president was right to wait until the conflict began,” Littlefield said. — He did not reveal to the enemy what the United States was planning to do.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
