President Trump privately asked whether the war with Iran cost Republicans in the midterm elections, it is now reported. Before the polls closed, he asked someone he was talking to: "If we never go into Iran, what do you think will happen in the midterms? The question follows repeated warnings from his advisers that the protracted conflict, the closing of the Strait of Hormuz and the rise in gasoline prices are harming the Republicans' electoral chances. An internal presentation released by Trump adviser James Blair warned that the Iran war is seriously undermining Republican support ahead of the midterms. It showed that Democrats' polling advantage grows during periods of active fighting, shrinks during cease-fire negotiations, and widens again after the cease-fire collapses. The presentation warned that Republicans could lose control of the Senate unless a lasting ceasefire is secured, the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and gasoline prices fall.

President Trump privately asked whether the war with Iran cost Republicans in the midterm elections, it is now reported. Before the polls closed, he asked someone he was talking to: "If we never go into Iran, what do you think will happen in the midterms? The question follows repeated warnings from his advisers that the protracted conflict, the closing of the Strait of Hormuz and the rise in gasoline prices are harming the Republicans' electoral chances. An internal presentation released by Trump adviser James Blair warned that the Iran war is seriously undermining Republican support ahead of the midterms. It showed that Democrats' polling advantage grows during periods of active fighting, shrinks during cease-fire negotiations, and widens again after the cease-fire collapses. The presentation warned that Republicans could lose control of the Senate unless a lasting ceasefire is secured, the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and gasoline prices fall.