Video taking off 25x its usual first day

Trump praises Democrats' campaign while acknowledging Iran's electoral cost

FRANCE 24's Wassim Cornet connects the congressional result to broken campaign promises, fuel prices and the local costs of data centers.

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FRANCE 24 English Story of November 5, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The video opened at a pace of 288,645 views a day, 25 times a normal first day on this channel (11,647).

Midterms: Trump acknowledges role of Iran war, congratulates Dems • FRANCE 24 English

Things we can learn from the video

Press to jump

0:15Trump acknowledges Iran played a part in the result while defending his actions.
0:37Trump credits Democrats with running a good campaign and fighting hard.
1:19Cornet discusses turnout and the possibility of Trump vetoing Democratic legislation.
1:54California coverage includes the Los Angeles mayoral contest, a proposed billionaire tax and redistricting.
4:05Cornet links Republican losses to broken promises over war, inflation and fuel prices.
5:00Data center construction brings electricity costs and noise into the discussion of local voter concerns.

The concession comes with a qualification. In Fox News phone audio carried by FRANCE 24 English, Donald Trump acknowledges that the Iran war helped shape Republicans' midterm defeat, then defends his handling of it.

"I think a part of it was Iran, but at the same time, people understood the importance of what I've done with Iran," he says.

With Democrats winning both chambers of Congress, Trump also gives their campaign credit: "I think the Democrats did a good job. I really do. I think they did a good job, they fought hard."

The report drew roughly a quarter of a million views before its first day was over, far beyond the channel's usual opening-day audience. A separate analysis featuring Washington correspondent Fraser Jackson also drew unusually heavy viewing, examining Trump's efforts to distance himself from the losses.

Reporting from Los Angeles, Wassim Cornet looks beyond the president's response. He argues that war with Iran, inflation and higher fuel prices undermined Trump's campaign promises, including his pledge to avoid a new Middle East war. He also discusses the prospect of presidential vetoes as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress.

Cornet's account brings the national result down to neighborhood concerns, too: rising electricity costs and noise associated with rapid data center construction. Alongside California's mayoral races and proposed billionaire tax, those details give the report a local explanation for an election being discussed worldwide.

Published on Trari