Trump Says Midterms Voters Weren't Willing to Pay More for Gas - Business Insider

As the Democrats scored a wave of key midterm victories, Trump says gas prices are to blame.

Fuel prices have soared about 36% on average compared to last year amid the Iran war.

Trump called the higher fuel costs a "short-term problem but for long-term gain."

"I don't think it's the war, I think it's the gas prices," Trump said on a phone call with Fox News as he reflected on the results. "People agree with what I'm doing in Iran, but they really, probably weren't willing to do the short-term consequence of paying more for gasoline."

"And you know, I understand that," he continued. "I don't agree with it, and I would say to people, you know: 'It's a short-term problem but for long-term gain."

The president congratulated the Democratic congressional leaders and said he would accept the results. Democrats have won the majority in both the House and Senate, meaning Trump would have to face a fully opposition-controlled Congress.

"I don't like to consider it a defeat for me, I wasn't on the ballot," said Trump, adding that he felt "badly for a lot of very good Republicans, a lot of very good patriots that lost tonight."

Fuel costs have surged since February...