Washington: US Vice-President-elect JD Vance has blamed the Iran war for the Republican Party’s electoral setback, saying voters who backed Donald Trump in 2024 shifted their support to Democrats in 2026.
In a post on X, Vance said low voter turnout was not the problem, arguing that Republican supporters had voted but rejected the party’s candidates.
He said voters were concerned about the war, rising living costs, inflation and higher oil prices. They had also expected the administration to prioritise its “America First” agenda and reconsider its approach towards Israel, he added.
Rejecting immigration policy as the main reason for the defeat, Vance said granting amnesty to illegal immigrants was not a solution. He urged Republicans to acknowledge the political consequences of the conflict with Iran.
