In his first public appearance since Republicans lost big in the midterms, President Trump showed off the construction of the White House ballroom.
“It’s for the country, and it’s free,” he said.
Trump also told reporters that the Iran war was the “primary reason” for the GOP’s losses.
Hours earlier, Vice President Vance said in a lengthy post that that the conflict with Iran was the main reason why the GOP saw Democrats seize the House, the Senate and multiple governor’s mansions in Tuesday night’s midterms.
Trump agreed with Vance’s assessment but argued if he had to launch the war against the Islamic Republic again, he would do it.
Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Wednesday he will not run for GOP leader in the next Congress as Republicans prepare for life in the minority, setting up an intraparty battle between GOP Reps. Steve Scalise (La.) and Jim Jordan (Ohio) for the gavel.
The exact extent of Democrats’ majorities remains to be determined as some key races are still undecided as of early Wednesday. But Democrats picked up most of this year’s high-profile contests across the country, including the Texas Senate and gubernatorial races, Kansas Senate race, Iowa Senate and gubernatorial races, Michigan Senate race, Georgia Senate and gubernatorial races, and Maine Senate race.
Decision Desk HQ projects that the Democrats will hold 258 seats in the U.S. House to the GOP’s 177, while their Senate projection currently stands at 55 Democrats to 45 Republicans.
Trump congratulated Democrats on their victories in a call with CBS News, but was quick to emphasize that he “wasn’t on the ballot” and that if he was, “we would have won.” He also said Fox News “bears responsibility for these losses.”
