Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday, Nov. 8, that President Donald Trump's war against Iran is not "necessarily popular, but necessary," days after Vice President JD Vance largely blamed the war for Republicans' midterm losses.
Why it matters: Rubio and Vance are both seen as possible 2028 contenders, and their comments put them on different sides of the party's post-election debate.
"He addressed it even though oftentimes the right thing to do for the country — confronting difficult challenges for the security of our country — doing it isn't necessarily popular, but necessary," Rubio said at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Florida before leaving for a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Paris, the AP reported. He did not comment directly on the election results.
Trump: 'one of the best things we ever did'
Trump told reporters Sunday that Vance was right about the war's effect on the election, but should also have said it was the right decision. "If I had it to do again, this historically — for history — will go down as one of the best things we ever did," Trump said, Fox News reported.
No breakthrough in talks
Rubio said talks with Iran had not been very productive and called some Iranian demands "outrageous and ridiculous." Trump told CNN it was "highly unlikely" strikes would need to resume if a strong deal is signed. The war's effect on gas prices was a major issue for voters. Earlier: Trump meets Qatar's prime minister on Iran and Trump on 60 Minutes.