U.S. President Donald Trump agreed Wednesday with Vice President J.D. Vance’s assessment that the war with Iran was largely to blame for the Republicans’ election defeat. He stressed, however, that it was worth it.
Trump addressed Vance’s assessment in a brief exchange with reporters during a visit to the construction site of the ballroom at the White House, where he signed the last steel beam installed in the building.
– I think that’s largely true, because in the short term it raised the price of gasoline somewhat, and that’s probably true. At the same time, if I had to do it again, I would do it, because in the long run it’s the only solution, Trump said of the war with Iran.
He added that attacking Iran was worth it because he had no other choice and “you can’t allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” He maintained that he knew the war could affect the election when he decided to make the move.
He said there was nothing wrong with Vance’s statement. He argued that the war would end “whenever he wants,” but added that it has to be done properly.
Trump also said he does not intend to fire Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. At the same time, he spoke favorably of the idea of appointing Hegseth to finish the term of Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, who has become the state’s governor.
Trump assured reporters that he is “not at all” worried that, with Democrats taking over the House of Representatives, he will be impeached again.
– For what? For the country being successful? – he asked.
He added that if Democrats go ahead with it, it will destroy their party.
In a long post on the platform X, Vance said Republicans lost the congressional election because of the war and called for a change in relations with Israel.
“If you want to argue that it was worth it, that it was worth paying the price of losing the Senate majority for the next six years, then go ahead. Argue that it was a price worth paying. You can agree or disagree, but at least it will be honest (way of putting the matter),” Vance added.
During the ceremony in which the beam was signed and hung on the ceiling of the new ballroom, Trump spent more than 20 minutes describing in detail the project and other efforts that, according to him, are meant to beautify the White House and the capital.
The conservative Fox News network cut away from his remarks and returned only when he began answering reporters’ questions.
The president said he obtained special marble for the ballroom’s floor even though the seller did not want to sell it. He pointed to the solid construction of the roof and the thickness of the steel.
– Look at the thickness and size of this steel. You can land anything on this roof. But it’s all going to be drones, he remarked, referring to a drone landing pad on the roof.
He also claimed, contrary to the facts, that the structure will be larger than Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where he was received during his visit to China.
– It was designed so that the president can feel safe. So that he can invite the president of China, Russia or any other country to dinner, he stressed.
Oskar Górzyński, Washington (PAP)
