Trump throws Republicans under the bus in latest midterms defense
Smith presses Trump on losses
In a White House interview, Stephen A. Smith opened by asking Trump what had happened in the midterms. Trump said he had not been on the ballot, raised the unresolved Alaska Senate race involving two candidates named Dan Sullivan, and then discussed the Iran war.
Trump argued that higher gas prices in the short term were worthwhile to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He said his candidates had failed to make that case to voters. Smith responded that Republicans had lost more than 40 House seats, at least eight Senate seats and five governorships.
Trump points to candidates
Trump said the candidates had not put him on the ballot and that voters had not believed in them. Smith questioned whether the results reflected dislike of the candidates or frustration with grocery prices, and noted that Trump’s approval rating was lower than theirs and lower than the Democrats’.
Trump cited an Elon University poll that he said Harry Enten had discussed on CNN in August. The poll gave Trump a 99 percent approval rating among Republicans, which he said was higher than Abraham Lincoln’s and Ronald Reagan’s at comparable points in their presidencies.
Blame remains in focus
Smith returned to Trump’s earlier request to be put on the ballot, arguing that candidates had not followed his direction. Trump said he liked some candidates more than others but considered all of them better than Democrats on policy.
Trump also said Sen. John Cornyn would have performed as poorly in Texas as his nominee, Ken Paxton, who lost to Democrat James Talarico. The account says Trump’s explanation echoed his Election Night remarks to Fox News, when he also blamed others for the losses.
Key points
- Trump distanced himself from Republicans’ midterm losses and said voters had not believed in the candidates.
- Smith cited losses of more than 40 House seats, at least eight Senate seats and five governorships.
- Trump pointed to an Elon University poll showing 99 percent approval among Republicans.
- Trump said Sen. John Cornyn would have fared no better than Ken Paxton in Texas.