Donald Trump has admitted the US-Iran war will last beyond the November midterm elections - some think it will last well into 2029 - with Republicans now facing the possibility of losing the House and the Senate as oil prices surge towards $110/barrel.
On today’s bonus episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey chats to Washington correspondents Connor Stringer and Benedict Smith about Trump’s spectacular gamble to convince Republicans the Iran war is not a big deal at the Republican Midterms Convention. From threatening strikes on Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site to offering voters an unprecedented $5,000 cash dividend if they vote Republican, his speech was “vintage Trump”.
Plus, is Iran interfering in the US midterms to boost the Democrats?
00:00 - Introduction & "Trumperpalooza" in Dallas
01:07 - On-the-Ground Atmosphere at the Convention
02:57 - Why Republicans are Holding a Midterms Convention
04:09 - Bleak Midterm Polling for Donald Trump & the GOP
04:58 - Why Some Republicans are Distance or Boycotting
05:52 - Trump Promises a $5,000 "Trump Dividend" for Voters
07:23 - Initial Reaction and Deficit Concerns over the Dividend
09:03 - Dissecting Trump's Vintage, Two-Hour Keynote Speech
10:27 - Realities of the Iran War vs. Public Messaging
11:49 - Accusations of Iranian Midterm Interference
13:40 - How Supporters and Voters View the War in Iran
15:04 - Diehard Supporters "Front-Row Joes" vs. Economic Reality
16:28 - State of the Republican Party Ahead of November
18:15 - Dem. Senator John Fetterman Makes a Surprise Video Appearance
20:28 - Leaks Suggest the Iran War Could Last Until End of Term
21:17 - Looking Ahead: US-Canada Trade Tariff Escalations
#USMidterms #DonaldTrump #GOPConvention #IranWar #Trumperpalooza #USPolitics #TrumpDividend #Elections #MidtermElections #JohnFetterman #USNews #PoliticalAnalysis
CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Connor Stringer, chief Washington correspondent @connorstringer
Benedict Smith, Washington correspondent @bsmithjourno
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk
CONTENT REFERENCED:
The answer to Trump’s midterm woes? Make the campaign all about him
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/trump-republican-midterms-convention-address-analysis/
‘Common sense’ Democrat praises Trump at Republican midterm convention
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/democrat-john-fetterman-praises-trump-republican-convention/
Trump: I’ll give $5,000 to every American if we win midterms
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/10/trump-convention-speech-promise-5000-dollars-midterms-win/
Rubio and Vance ‘think Iran war could last beyond the end of Trump’s term’
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/09/10/white-house-iran-war-trump-term/
Trump makes his last stand
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/09/11/republican-party-convention-midterms-trump-last-stand/
Trump’s Top Advisers Confront Possibility That Iran War Lasts Through End of Term
https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trumps-top-advisers-confront-possibility-that-iran-war-lasts-through-end-of-term-5f4e23d7
Silver Bulletin:
https://www.natesilver.net/p/trump-approval-ratings-nate-silver-bulletin
Race to the White House:
https://www.racetothewh.com/
Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026
Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026
The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Audio Producer: Max Bower
Video Producer: Peter Shevlin
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey
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