Just days after Republicans lost both the House and the Senate, President Trump shared a post on Truth Social arguing that his party took a political hit for doing hard things. The post, written by conservative commentator Joel Pollak, says Trump was elected to do politically difficult but necessary things, that securing the border is ugly, fighting Iran is costly, taking on special interests upsets donors, and backing AI scares people. It adds that Republicans paid the costs on election night and that the benefits will last for generations. The day before, Trump told reporters at the White House ballroom construction site that Vice President JD Vance's view that the Iran war cost Republicans the midterms was "largely true," because it pushed gas prices up in the short term. Even so, he said he would do it all again, since in his view the long-term answer is making sure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.

Supporters say the message fits the promises Trump campaigned on and argue the payoff from the border and the Iran campaign will show over time. Critics point out that the war has driven up fuel prices and inflation, and a CNBC poll found 74 percent of voters called the war a major factor in how they voted. Trump's claim that the strikes stopped Iran's nuclear program is also disputed, as some reporting says Iran's ability to build a weapon remains intact and an end to the conflict looks far off. With Democrats set to take over Congress in January, the administration will likely face tougher scrutiny of the war and its costs, so the question is whether voters will see the long-term benefits Trump promises.