Megyn Kelly warned that President Donald Trump’s war with Iran could become a major political liability for congressional Republicans, potentially costing the GOP control of the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections and hurting its prospects in the 2028 presidential race. In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Kelly said the conflict is already turning into a “quagmire” because it has no clear exit strategy and is adding to voter anxiety over inflation, gas prices and broader economic instability.
Kelly argued that Republicans are facing a worsening political environment as public frustration grows. She said many political observers already expect the GOP to lose the House, and she noted that some are now predicting the party could also lose the Senate. Looking ahead to 2028, she said the map becomes even more difficult for Republicans because of another presidential election and additional House and Senate races. In her view, the political math is turning against the party. “We don’t have the cards to play,” she said, summing up her concerns about the GOP’s future.
The former Fox News host also strongly criticized Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, saying the administration does not appear to have a workable endgame. She said even if the United States were to withdraw, the situation would still be messy and unresolved. Kelly’s comments were not new; she made similar remarks in an earlier appearance with Morgan in early May, when she called the war a “disaster” and urged Trump to offer Iran the deal it wants.
Trump, meanwhile, has dismissed concerns about any political consequences. At a Cabinet meeting on May 27, he said he did not care whether the conflict hurt Republican chances in the midterms. While claiming Iran’s military and economy had been badly weakened, Trump said he was focused on the conflict itself rather than the electoral impact. He said he did not care about the midterms and suggested his administration might still need to “finish” the situation.
Signs of political tension inside the Republican Party are already visible. On Wednesday, June 3, four House Republicans — Tom Barrett, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick and Thomas Massie — joined Democrats to pass a war powers resolution designed to limit Trump’s authority over the conflict with Iran. Their break with the president underscored growing unease among some lawmakers as the war continues.
Public opinion also appears to be turning against the campaign. Recent polling has shown broad dissatisfaction with Trump’s handling of the conflict and its economic effects. An ABC-The Washington Post poll released in May found that 61% of Americans said the war was a mistake, while only 19% called it successful. A separate Fox News poll found that 64% believed attacking Iran was the wrong decision and 65% disapproved of Trump’s handling of the war.
