The US Supreme Court on Monday (Sep 14) rejected President Donald Trump's bid to restrict mail ballots for the midterm elections. The decision allows states to continue sending out mail ballots under the same processes that is being used for years. Mail ballots account for nearly a third of votes cast. The Supreme Court majority did not detail its reasoning but two justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, publicly dissented from the brief order. The Trump administration had asked the court to clear the way for restrictions before the November midterms.&nbsp;Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-trump-trying-to-control-midterm-postal-ballots-supreme-court-decision-could-affect-one-third-of-votes-1788514262043"> Is Trump trying to control midterm postal ballots?</a>&nbsp;Alito wrote in his dissent that the Postal Service "has broad authority to regulate the mail" and likely does have the power to enforce Trump's restrictions. Justice Brett Kavanaugh agreed that the restrictions should not go into effect for the midterms but indicated he might rule in favour of the Trump administration if the issue comes back before the court at a later time.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-gives-trump-temporary-win-on-mail-in-voting-restrictions-1787620685760">US Supreme Court gives Trump temporary win on mail-in voting restrictions</a>&nbsp;Earlier in August, US Supreme Court gave a temporary victory to Trump in his effort to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm by allowing key parts of his executive order to move forward. The court's 6-3 decision lifted a lower court's injunction that had blocked parts of Trump's March 31 executive order, which seeks to impose new federal requirements on mail-in ballots. The justices did not rule that the order is ultimately constitutional.<h2>Why is Trump against it?</h2>Trump falsely attributed his loss in the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden to mailed ballots. In 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic, mailed ballots were expanded but, Trump, his officials and supporters argued that changes made in voting in Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania were unlawful. Trump called it “the greatest scam in the history of politics.” In March 2026, when he is the President, Trump issued an executive order requiring the US Postal Service maintain a list of eligible voters and block mailed ballots to anyone not on that list. He wants to transform the change into law via the Save America Act in the US Congress.

The US Supreme Court has rejected Donald Trump’s bid to restrict mail ballots ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The ruling allows states to continue their existing mail-voting processes, dealing a setback to Trump’s campaign against the voting method.

The US Supreme Court on Monday (Sep 14) rejected President Donald Trump's bid to restrict mail ballots for the midterm elections. The decision allows states to continue sending out mail ballots under the same processes that is being used for years. Mail ballots account for nearly a third of votes cast. The Supreme Court majority did not detail its reasoning but two justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, publicly dissented from the brief order. The Trump administration had asked the court to clear the way for restrictions before the November midterms. Also Read: Is Trump trying to control midterm postal ballots? Alito wrote in his dissent that the Postal Service "has broad authority to regulate the mail" and likely does have the power to enforce Trump's restrictions. Justice Brett Kavanaugh agreed that the restrictions should not go into effect for the midterms but indicated he might rule in favour of the Trump administration if the issue comes back before the court at a later time. Also Read: US Supreme Court gives Trump temporary win on mail-in voting restrictions Earlier in August, US Supreme Court gave a temporary victory to Trump in his effort to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm by allowing key parts of his executive order to move forward. The court's 6-3 decision lifted a lower court's injunction that had blocked parts of Trump's March 31 executive order, which seeks to impose new federal requirements on mail-in ballots. The justices did not rule that the order is ultimately constitutional. Why is Trump against it? Trump falsely attributed his loss in the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden to mailed ballots. In 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic, mailed ballots were expanded but, Trump, his officials and supporters argued that changes made in voting in Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania were unlawful. Trump called it “the greatest scam in the history of politics.” In March 2026, when he is the President, Trump issued an executive order requiring the US Postal Service maintain a list of eligible voters and block mailed ballots to anyone not on that list. He wants to transform the change into law via the Save America Act in the US Congress.

The US Supreme Court has rejected Donald Trump’s bid to restrict mail ballots ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The ruling allows states to continue their existing mail-voting processes, dealing a setback to Trump’s campaign against the voting method.

Trump loses Supreme Court battle over mail ballots ahead of US midterms: What happened?

US President Donald Trump addressed &nbsp;Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention nearly two hours during its opening night on Wednesday (Sep 9). He turned it into personal political rally urging voters to treat the November elections as if he himself were on the ballot, slammed Democrats, targeted former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, praised his administration's action on Iran and announced that he would go on a campaign blitz. An offer of 5000 USD and warning of losing everything also came as a part of Trump's speech. The convention was held as Republicans trying to hold on to their congressional majorities in the November 3 midterm elections.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-speaks-live-but-viewers-stay-away-only-a-few-thousand-tune-in-to-president-s-speech-at-rnc-1789007861719">Trump speaks live, but viewers stay away</a><h2>Here are the top talking points from Trump's speech</h2><ol><li>Trump Dividend: Trump made one of the most striking promises in his speech and announced that every adult US citizen could receive $5,000 if Republicans win control of both the House and Senate in the midterm elections. "Only I can make this promise to you: If the Republicans win the House and Senate, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000," Trump stated. The president also proposed that the dividend must be called “Trump Dividend.” However, he also gave a caveat. He said: “The only caveat I have is that the dividend that we're making must be spent in the United States of America. We don't want you going to Canada to spend the money.”</li><li>‘I am on ballot’: Trump told voters to “pretend” he is on the ballot. Trump asked Americans to give Republicans another chance to control Congress. "On election night, we're going to prove that America does not belong to those who hate it. America belongs to those who LOVE IT!" Trump said. Hinting at another term, he said: "The choice in this election is very, very simple... I'm asking you to let us finish the job we began. Pretend that I'm on the ballot. I'm on the ballot. Just one more time."</li><li>Trump promises campaign blitz: Amid dipping approval ratings, Trump has put himself at the centre of the midterm elections. Trump promised that he would be a major feature in the final stretch of the race, whether Republican candidates like it or not. He pointed to about 35 of the most competitive races.</li><li>Trump states when Iran war will end: Trump in his speech mentioned when will the war end: “The war will be over shortly after the election.” Trump stated the conflict would end “immediately after” the US midterm elections, without providing a detailed explanation for why he expects the fighting to end on that timeline.</li><li>Trump predicts lower oil prices: Trump addressed rising oil prices directly, saying he expects prices to fall after the midterm elections. His remarks came as Brent crude moved above $100 a barrel amid escalating US-Iran tensions. “I think it's going to take a little bit longer than the midterm,” he said.</li><li>Trump's renaming obsession: Trump again floated renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait.” He also said that his administration has named Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” For Hormuz he said: “It’s going to be called, ladies and gentlemen — I’ll have an announcement. We’ll call it the Trump Strait, and I’m sure the Iranian leadership will be thrilled with that,” Trump said. He also said that the state of New Mexico should be renamed “New America.”</li><li>Trump mocks Paxton, then endorses him: Trump repeatedly mocked Texas U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton's physical appearance and fashion choices. "He may not dress right, he may not talk exactly perfectly, and he may not be the best-looking guy I've ever seen... But you know what he is? He's the greatest attorney general in America, and he deserves to be your next senator." Trump said, Paxton is “maybe the top attorney general in the whole United States. “We have to elect Ken Paxton. We have to,” Trump said. “And if I have to, I’ll come back twice or three times.”</li><li>Trump targets Abdul El-Sayed: Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate nominee in Michigan was mentioned in Trump's speech. He claimed that El-Sayed’s sister “celebrated” on Oct. 7, 2023. In a 2024 video, El-Sayed’s half sister, Eman Abdelhadi, gave a “blessing” on the first anniversary of Oct. 7. It was posted on Instagram by the “Rabbis4Ceasefire” account. He also said El-Sayed's mother worked for an organization that gave money to Osama bin Laden.&nbsp;</li><li>Crowd chants for Charlie Kirk as Trump remembers: &nbsp;Trump also remembered Charlie Kirk who was assassinated last year on Sep 10. The crowd in the convention center broke out into chants of "Charlie, Charlie." "So, exactly one year ago tomorrow, a far-left extremist assassinated my great friend in conservative voice, Charlie Kirk, because Charlie Kirk spoke the truth," Trump said attempting to find Kirk's wife, Erika Kirk in the crowd. "What shocked millions of Americans was not only the fact that Charlie was murdered as bad as it was, but also how many people made an excuse for it or cheered for it. They were cheering," Trump said. “Some people, sick people, for a brief moment, the mask came off the radical left, and you saw what they were really all about.” He added that “now those same people are trying to get power over you in this election, and they are all voting Democrat.”&nbsp;</li><li>Notable Democrat presence: The most notable surprise appearance at the 2026 Republican midterm convention came from Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman. Fetterman made an unscheduled virtual appearance on Wednesday night via a 64-second pre-recorded video to cross party lines and endorse his Republican colleague from Pennsylvania, Senator Dave McCormick. Fetterman used the video to highlight the preservation of regional steel jobs, saying, “We’ll work with President Trump to fight and defend the steel way of life, right here in the Steel Valley”</li></ol>

Trump turned the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention into a campaign-style rally, urging voters to treat the November 3 elections as if he were on the ballot. He promoted his record, promised a $5,000 dividend if Republicans win Congress

US President Donald Trump addressed Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention nearly two hours during its opening night on Wednesday (Sep 9). He turned it into personal political rally urging voters to treat the November elections as if he himself were on the ballot, slammed Democrats, targeted former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, praised his administration's action on Iran and announced that he would go on a campaign blitz. An offer of 5000 USD and warning of losing everything also came as a part of Trump's speech. The convention was held as Republicans trying to hold on to their congressional majorities in the November 3 midterm elections. Also Read: Trump speaks live, but viewers stay away Here are the top talking points from Trump's speech Trump Dividend: Trump made one of the most striking promises in his speech and announced that every adult US citizen could receive $5,000 if Republicans win control of both the House and Senate in the midterm elections. "Only I can make this promise to you: If the Republicans win the House and Senate, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000," Trump stated. The president also proposed that the dividend must be called “Trump Dividend.” However, he also gave a caveat. He said: “The only caveat I have is that the dividend that we're making must be spent in the United States of America. We don't want you going to Canada to spend the money.” ‘I am on ballot’: Trump told voters to “pretend” he is on the ballot. Trump asked Americans to give Republicans another chance to control Congress. "On election night, we're going to prove that America does not belong to those who hate it. America belongs to those who LOVE IT!" Trump said. Hinting at another term, he said: "The choice in this election is very, very simple... I'm asking you to let us finish the job we began. Pretend that I'm on the ballot. I'm on the ballot. Just one more time." Trump promises campaign blitz: Amid dipping approval ratings, Trump has put himself at the centre of the midterm elections. Trump promised that he would be a major feature in the final stretch of the race, whether Republican candidates like it or not. He pointed to about 35 of the most competitive races. Trump states when Iran war will end: Trump in his speech mentioned when will the war end: “The war will be over shortly after the election.” Trump stated the conflict would end “immediately after” the US midterm elections, without providing a detailed explanation for why he expects the fighting to end on that timeline. Trump predicts lower oil prices: Trump addressed rising oil prices directly, saying he expects prices to fall after the midterm elections. His remarks came as Brent crude moved above $100 a barrel amid escalating US-Iran tensions. “I think it's going to take a little bit longer than the midterm,” he said. Trump's renaming obsession: Trump again floated renaming the Strait of Hormuz as “Trump Strait.” He also said that his administration has named Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” For Hormuz he said: “It’s going to be called, ladies and gentlemen — I’ll have an announcement. We’ll call it the Trump Strait, and I’m sure the Iranian leadership will be thrilled with that,” Trump said. He also said that the state of New Mexico should be renamed “New America.” Trump mocks Paxton, then endorses him: Trump repeatedly mocked Texas U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton's physical appearance and fashion choices. "He may not dress right, he may not talk exactly perfectly, and he may not be the best-looking guy I've ever seen... But you know what he is? He's the greatest attorney general in America, and he deserves to be your next senator." Trump said, Paxton is “maybe the top attorney general in the whole United States. “We have to elect Ken Paxton. We have to,” Trump said. “And if I have to, I’ll come back twice or three times.” Trump targets Abdul El-Sayed: Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate nominee in Michigan was mentioned in Trump's speech. He claimed that El-Sayed’s sister “celebrated” on Oct. 7, 2023. In a 2024 video, El-Sayed’s half sister, Eman Abdelhadi, gave a “blessing” on the first anniversary of Oct. 7. It was posted on Instagram by the “Rabbis4Ceasefire” account. He also said El-Sayed's mother worked for an organization that gave money to Osama bin Laden. Crowd chants for Charlie Kirk as Trump remembers: Trump also remembered Charlie Kirk who was assassinated last year on Sep 10. The crowd in the convention center broke out into chants of "Charlie, Charlie." "So, exactly one year ago tomorrow, a far-left extremist assassinated my great friend in conservative voice, Charlie Kirk, because Charlie Kirk spoke the truth," Trump said attempting to find Kirk's wife, Erika Kirk in the crowd. "What shocked millions of Americans was not only the fact that Charlie was murdered as bad as it was, but also how many people made an excuse for it or cheered for it. They were cheering," Trump said. “Some people, sick people, for a brief moment, the mask came off the radical left, and you saw what they were really all about.” He added that “now those same people are trying to get power over you in this election, and they are all voting Democrat.” Notable Democrat presence: The most notable surprise appearance at the 2026 Republican midterm convention came from Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman. Fetterman made an unscheduled virtual appearance on Wednesday night via a 64-second pre-recorded video to cross party lines and endorse his Republican colleague from Pennsylvania, Senator Dave McCormick. Fetterman used the video to highlight the preservation of regional steel jobs, saying, “We’ll work with President Trump to fight and defend the steel way of life, right here in the Steel Valley”

Trump turned the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention into a campaign-style rally, urging voters to treat the November 3 elections as if he were on the ballot. He promoted his record, promised a $5,000 dividend if Republicans win Congress

$5,000 to Americans, Charlie Kirk, and Iran war end date: 10 key points from Trump's RNC speech

US President Donald Trump, while addressing the first Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, has promised to pay every American $5,000 if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate after November’s midterm elections. He made the big announcement while urging voters remain united and support Republican candidates on Nov 3. He also urged voters to let him and Republican lawmakers to “finish the job” to restore America's respect in the world that was worsened under President Joe Biden’s administration. He offered freebie and claimed that Democrats cannot do it because they don't charge tariffs and they only "know about poverty."&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-iran-war-will-end-immediately-after-us-midterms-claims-tehran-trying-to-sway-us-vote-1788984074868">Trump says Iran war will end immediately after US midterms</a>&nbsp;"If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them, because of our economic, tremendous economic success like in history, we've never had anything like what's happening. But because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000,” the president said during the GOP midterm convention. “Very much like a successful company will do a cash distribution to its shareholders.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-oil-prices-might-hit-100-and-it-could-be-bad-news-for-trump-ahead-of-midterms-1788938670443">US oil prices at $100 could be bad news for Trump ahead of midterm elections</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Trump: &quot;Only I can make this promise to you: If the Republicans win the House and Senate, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000&quot; <a href="https://t.co/OOYAwaQ6HO">pic.twitter.com/OOYAwaQ6HO</a>&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/2097871479815667867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The president also proposed that the dividend must be called “Trump Dividend.” However, he also gave a caveat. He said: “The only caveat I have is that the dividend that we're making must be spent in the United States of America. We don't want you going to Canada to spend the money.”&nbsp;<h2>How did the idea originate?</h2>According to reports, about 240 million adults live in the United States, and if the president goes ahead with his plan, the payment would cost the government roughly $1.2 trillion. The federal government’s annual budget is around $7 trillion. The idea was first floated by Trump in July 2025. The specific $5,000 figure came from James Fishbach, an outside adviser to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In February 2025, Fishbach proposed a “DOGE Dividend” that would return 20 per cent of the federal budget savings targeted by DOGE directly to American households. However, the idea of using federal tariff revenue to fund direct payments was formally proposed by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) through the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025. The bill sought to redistribute revenue from the administration’s new import tariffs to working-class families. Trump later embraced the concept, promoting a $2,000 “tariff dividend” for Americans.

Trump has promised a $5,000 dividend for every adult American if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate after the November midterms, linking the payout to what he called the country’s unprecedented economic success.

US President Donald Trump, while addressing the first Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, has promised to pay every American $5,000 if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate after November’s midterm elections. He made the big announcement while urging voters remain united and support Republican candidates on Nov 3. He also urged voters to let him and Republican lawmakers to “finish the job” to restore America's respect in the world that was worsened under President Joe Biden’s administration. He offered freebie and claimed that Democrats cannot do it because they don't charge tariffs and they only "know about poverty." Also Read: Trump says Iran war will end immediately after US midterms "If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them, because of our economic, tremendous economic success like in history, we've never had anything like what's happening. But because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000,” the president said during the GOP midterm convention. “Very much like a successful company will do a cash distribution to its shareholders.” Also Read: US oil prices at $100 could be bad news for Trump ahead of midterm elections

Trump has promised a $5,000 dividend for every adult American if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate after the November midterms, linking the payout to what he called the country’s unprecedented economic success.

'Trump Dividend': US president promises $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans win midterms

US President Donald Trump, while addressing the first Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, fuelled speculation about a possible third term in office — something he has repeatedly expressed interest in pursuing. He said that Republicans will treat the 2026 midterm elections in November as a referendum on his presidency during remarks at the event. He also warned that Republicans could lose control of his agenda if they fail to turn out in November. He also warned that the country could return to poor conditions that “existed under the previous administration.” He said that the progress of the country will continue if voters remain united and support Republican candidates on Nov 3.&nbsp;“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” Trump said. “I’m on the ballot.” “If we lose, you’re going to lose your border. You’re going to lose your tax cuts. You’re going to lose your safety and security. Our country is going through hell. You will be going through hell just like you did just two years ago. The midterms are not supposed to be won by the sitting president. And we’re going to change that, ”Trump said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-there-ll-either-be-deal-or-us-will-finish-job-says-trump-1783402027929">US-Iran war: 'There'll either be deal or US will finish job,' says Trump</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Trump: &quot;I&#39;m asking you to pretend on I&#39;m the ballot!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/PXes8AdQJN">pic.twitter.com/PXes8AdQJN</a>&mdash; Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) <a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/2097858559232942378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-iran-war-will-end-immediately-after-us-midterms-claims-tehran-trying-to-sway-us-vote-1788984074868/amp">Trump says Iran war will end immediately after US midterms, claims Tehran trying to sway US vote</a>&nbsp;Revealing his plans about midterms, he said that he is going to visit every swing states to campaign for congresspeople and senators. "We can win every one of those races, but I'm going to go to every one of those states," Trump says, adding there will be rallies. He went on a warning spree adding: "A loss for Republicans in November would mean to lose your border, you're going to lose your tax cuts, you're going to lose your safety and security. You will be going through hell just like you did just two years ago," he says, adding the US used to be the laughing stock of the world, but that no one is laughing anymore."<h2>First Republican Midterm Convention</h2>Republicans opened their unusual midterm convention on Thursday (Sep 10 local time) with praise for Donald Trump and scathing attacks on "dangerous" Democrats. The two-day gathering in Dallas, where Trump is delivering an address and will return again on Day 2. He underlined his party's strategy ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. A parade of speakers called Democrats "socialists" and "communists," echoing one ​of Trump's favorite attack lines. He slammed the “dumb weak Democrats” as other members called them "dangerous, radical and weird." The event was informally called "Trumpapalooza" by Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters. First Lady Melania Trump was not be present at the event. Many Republicans in competitive races skipped the convention, including Representative Tom Barrett of Michigan, Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Senator Susan Collins of Maine, all facing strong Democratic challengers this ​fall.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump urged Republicans to treat the 2026 midterm elections as a referendum on his presidency, warning they could lose his agenda if turnout falls. At the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, Trump called for unity and support for GOP candidates

US President Donald Trump, while addressing the first Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, fuelled speculation about a possible third term in office — something he has repeatedly expressed interest in pursuing. He said that Republicans will treat the 2026 midterm elections in November as a referendum on his presidency during remarks at the event. He also warned that Republicans could lose control of his agenda if they fail to turn out in November. He also warned that the country could return to poor conditions that “existed under the previous administration.” He said that the progress of the country will continue if voters remain united and support Republican candidates on Nov 3. “I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” Trump said. “I’m on the ballot.” “If we lose, you’re going to lose your border. You’re going to lose your tax cuts. You’re going to lose your safety and security. Our country is going through hell. You will be going through hell just like you did just two years ago. The midterms are not supposed to be won by the sitting president. And we’re going to change that, ”Trump said. Also Read: US-Iran war: 'There'll either be deal or US will finish job,' says Trump

US President Donald Trump urged Republicans to treat the 2026 midterm elections as a referendum on his presidency, warning they could lose his agenda if turnout falls. At the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, Trump called for unity and support for GOP candidates

'Pretend I’m on the ballot': Did Trump just hint at another term at Republican midterm convention?

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the war with Iran would end “immediately” after the elections, slated for early November, and claimed that Tehran will not be able to sustain the conflict for much longer.“I think the war is going to end immediately after the election,” Trump said, while claiming that Iran was trying to influence the US vote.The US president was speaking to reporters while waiting to board Air Force One to travel to the GOP midterm convention in Texas.&nbsp;Trump said Iran is trying to shape the outcome of the US midterm election in the hope that it would then have to deal with a weaker group of politicians who would leave Tehran alone and allow them to develop a nuclear weapon.&nbsp;“All they want is a nuclear weapon. And if they had a nuclear weapon, the whole world is in deep trouble,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/satellite-images-show-construction-surge-at-iran-s-pickaxe-nuclear-site-amid-us-war-1788980343140">Satellite images show construction surge at Iran’s Pickaxe nuclear site amid US war</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">.<a href="https://x.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> on Iran: &quot;I&#39;m doing much more than a nuclear deal. There&#39;s a lot more than nuclear... That&#39;s 99.9, but there&#39;s going to be a lot of other things on the table that wouldn&#39;t have been on the table three months ago.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/jMlzGARkpw">pic.twitter.com/jMlzGARkpw</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2097759930509922641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;<h2>‘Conflict now far more than about nuclear programme’&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;Trump said the conflict was now about more than Iran’s nuclear programme, indicating that Washington would seek broader outcomes.“I am doing much more than a nuclear deal. There is a lot more than nuclear,” Trump said. “We are gonna have nuclear, that’s 99.9 (per cent), but there is gonna be a lot of other things on the table.”&nbsp;“There’s going to be a lot of other things on the table that wouldn’t have been on the table three months ago,” he added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-s-pm-world-s-highest-paid-leader-gets-64-hike-surges-far-ahead-of-his-global-peers-1788966635640">Singapore’s PM, world’s highest paid leader, gets 64% hike; surges far ahead of his global peers</a><h2>Trump rules out active negotiations with Iran</h2>&nbsp;He also said the US was not actively seeking negotiations with Tehran, although he left open the possibility for talks taking place.&nbsp;Asked about the possibility of resumed talks with Tehran, Trump said that he is not looking to negotiate with Iran in the near future, before the midterms.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/festivals-are-inclusive-if-muslim-comes-to-garba-cm-fadnavis-s-wife-amruta-after-vhp-bans-entry-1788959055047">‘Festivals are inclusive, if Muslim comes to garba...’: CM Fadnavis’s wife Amruta after VHP bans entry</a>&nbsp;“We’re not looking for it, to be honest,” Trump said, adding, “Originally, I wanted to make a deal. We’re so far down the line, they have very little country left right now, so we’re not looking for it. Yes, a negotiation could possibly happen but it’s not something we’re looking at.”&nbsp;Replying to a question on Israel, Trump said that he would be speaking to officials about the recent sanctions on illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Trump said the conflict was now about more than Iran’s nuclear programme, indicating that Washington would seek broader outcomes. There will be a lot of other things on the table that wouldn’t have been there three months ago, he added.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the war with Iran would end “immediately” after the elections, slated for early November, and claimed that Tehran will not be able to sustain the conflict for much longer. “I think the war is going to end immediately after the election,” Trump said, while claiming that Iran was trying to influence the US vote. The US president was speaking to reporters while waiting to board Air Force One to travel to the GOP midterm convention in Texas. Trump said Iran is trying to shape the outcome of the US midterm election in the hope that it would then have to deal with a weaker group of politicians who would leave Tehran alone and allow them to develop a nuclear weapon. “All they want is a nuclear weapon. And if they had a nuclear weapon, the whole world is in deep trouble,” he said. Also Read: Satellite images show construction surge at Iran’s Pickaxe nuclear site amid US war

Trump said the conflict was now about more than Iran’s nuclear programme, indicating that Washington would seek broader outcomes. There will be a lot of other things on the table that wouldn’t have been there three months ago, he added.

Trump says Iran war will end immediately after US midterms, claims Tehran trying to sway vote

Oil is approaching the psychologically important $100-a-barrel price. Americans are already paying record-high prices for the Labor Day period. This could become a political problem for Trump and the Republican Party as the November midterm elections loom. At the time of writing, Brent futures briefly hit $100 a barrel. The US West Texas Intermediate was around $94.13 on Wednesday (Sep 9). Brent has risen about 25 per cent since early August as renewed fighting with Iran crushed hopes of an end to the six-month conflict. Reports suggested that oil could hit $100 as early as Friday. Here is why it matters for Trump's midterm prospects.&nbsp;<h2>The Iran war is showing up at the pump for Americans</h2>Trump returned to office promising an energy boom, lower prices and inflation relief. The US military adventure in Iran upended these plans, emerging as a major source of uncertainty for the global oil market. Much of the Gulf's critical energy infrastructure is under attack or threat, caused by US strikes, Iranian attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, and Houthi hits on Saudi targets. Oil shipping is disrupted from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea and further afield. &nbsp;Iran conflict is leading to supply fears, causing higher crude prices and renewing inflation pressure on the US.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brent-crude-hits-100-per-barrel-after-seven-weeks-as-tension-in-middle-east-escalates-1788940129398">Brent Crude hits $100 per barrel after seven weeks as tension in Middle East escalates</a><h2>$4 gasoline is already a political problem</h2>The national average price of regular gasoline was about $4.15 a gallon around Labor Day, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), a record for this holiday period. AAA said the national average never exceeded $4 on Labor Day. For diesel prices, the national average climbed to a record of roughly $5.85-$5.90 a gallon. Diesel also powers much of America's freight, agriculture, construction and rail economy. And that could contribute to the inflation problem, as higher diesel and petrol prices hurt household budgets.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/goldman-warns-brent-could-top-120-again-wion-news-world-business-watch-1784783515303/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/goldman-warns-brent-could-top-120-again-wion-news-world-business-watch-1784783515303/embed</a><h2>Oil prices spike: The timing could hardly be worse for Republicans</h2>Republicans are entering the midterms with narrow margins, even as a Reuters/Ipsos poll put Trump approval ratings at just 33 per cent, with only 25 per cent of Americans saying the Iran war is worthwhile. A Financial Times/Focaldata survey found that 57 per cent of voters felt financially worse off under Trump. That is precisely why petrol prices are so dangerous politically.Republicans have spent years telling voters that Democratic policies were responsible for expensive petrol, but that won't wash this election season.Democratic candidates have been using gas prices as a political weapon against Republican incumbents, linking Trump's Iran policy to higher cost of living for Americans.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oil-prices-jump-over-3-brent-tops-86-after-us-says-it-intercepted-iranian-missile-attack-1785285962484">Oil prices jump over 3% after US says it intercepted Iranian missile attack</a><h2>How oil prices historically affected the prospects of the ruling party</h2>A 2026 Morgan Stanley analysis found that since 1978, midterm cycles in which gasoline prices rose from January of the previous year through October of the election year were associated with an average loss of 32 House seats for the incumbent party, as opposed to lower prices, in which case the average loss was six seats. A TIME analysis said that in the three midterms in which inflation-adjusted oil prices were around or above $100 a barrel, the ruling party lost an average of 29 House seats. An energy shock just ahead of midterms is a scary prospect for the incumbent party.<h2>A looming inflation: Why Trump needs to bring down gas prices</h2>If gasoline prices fall dramatically in October, Trump - who put himself at the centre of the Republican campaign - can point to the decline as evidence that his administration's strategies worked. But if they still hover around $4 or higher, Democrats will be able to tell voters that Trump's war made energy more expensive.But will the market correct itself? Brent repeatedly approached $100 in past months without decisively breaking through it. So far, whatever oil is passing via Hormuz, alternative export routes, rising production outside OPEC and weaker Chinese demand have prevented a larger price shock.But if prolonged disruptions to oil shipments cause Brent to remain around $100, the pinch at the pump could persist. And that could translate into anger against Trump and the Republicans at the elections.

US oil prices are near $100 once again as the Iran conflict disrupts energy supplies. The pinch at the pump and looming inflation could become a political headache for Trump and Republicans ahead of the midterms. Here is how

Oil is approaching the psychologically important $100-a-barrel price. Americans are already paying record-high prices for the Labor Day period. This could become a political problem for Trump and the Republican Party as the November midterm elections loom. At the time of writing, Brent futures briefly hit $100 a barrel. The US West Texas Intermediate was around $94.13 on Wednesday (Sep 9). Brent has risen about 25 per cent since early August as renewed fighting with Iran crushed hopes of an end to the six-month conflict. Reports suggested that oil could hit $100 as early as Friday. Here is why it matters for Trump's midterm prospects. The Iran war is showing up at the pump for Americans Trump returned to office promising an energy boom, lower prices and inflation relief. The US military adventure in Iran upended these plans, emerging as a major source of uncertainty for the global oil market. Much of the Gulf's critical energy infrastructure is under attack or threat, caused by US strikes, Iranian attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, and Houthi hits on Saudi targets. Oil shipping is disrupted from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea and further afield. Iran conflict is leading to supply fears, causing higher crude prices and renewing inflation pressure on the US. Also read: Brent Crude hits $100 per barrel after seven weeks as tension in Middle East escalates $4 gasoline is already a political problem The national average price of regular gasoline was about $4.15 a gallon around Labor Day, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), a record for this holiday period. AAA said the national average never exceeded $4 on Labor Day. For diesel prices, the national average climbed to a record of roughly $5.85-$5.90 a gallon. Diesel also powers much of America's freight, agriculture, construction and rail economy. And that could contribute to the inflation problem, as higher diesel and petrol prices hurt household budgets. https://www.wionews.com/videos/goldman-warns-brent-could-top-120-again-wion-news-world-business-watch-1784783515303/embed Oil prices spike: The timing could hardly be worse for Republicans Republicans are entering the midterms with narrow margins, even as a Reuters/Ipsos poll put Trump approval ratings at just 33 per cent, with only 25 per cent of Americans saying the Iran war is worthwhile. A Financial Times/Focaldata survey found that 57 per cent of voters felt financially worse off under Trump. That is precisely why petrol prices are so dangerous politically. Republicans have spent years telling voters that Democratic policies were responsible for expensive petrol, but that won't wash this election season. Democratic candidates have been using gas prices as a political weapon against Republican incumbents, linking Trump's Iran policy to higher cost of living for Americans. Also read: Oil prices jump over 3% after US says it intercepted Iranian missile attack How oil prices historically affected the prospects of the ruling party A 2026 Morgan Stanley analysis found that since 1978, midterm cycles in which gasoline prices rose from January of the previous year through October of the election year were associated with an average loss of 32 House seats for the incumbent party, as opposed to lower prices, in which case the average loss was six seats. A TIME analysis said that in the three midterms in which inflation-adjusted oil prices were around or above $100 a barrel, the ruling party lost an average of 29 House seats. An energy shock just ahead of midterms is a scary prospect for the incumbent party. A looming inflation: Why Trump needs to bring down gas prices If gasoline prices fall dramatically in October, Trump - who put himself at the centre of the Republican campaign - can point to the decline as evidence that his administration's strategies worked. But if they still hover around $4 or higher, Democrats will be able to tell voters that Trump's war made energy more expensive. But will the market correct itself? Brent repeatedly approached $100 in past months without decisively breaking through it. So far, whatever oil is passing via Hormuz, alternative export routes, rising production outside OPEC and weaker Chinese demand have prevented a larger price shock. But if prolonged disruptions to oil shipments cause Brent to remain around $100, the pinch at the pump could persist. And that could translate into anger against Trump and the Republicans at the elections.

US oil prices are near $100 once again as the Iran conflict disrupts energy supplies. The pinch at the pump and looming inflation could become a political headache for Trump and Republicans ahead of the midterms. Here is how

US oil prices at $100 could be bad news for Trump ahead of midterm elections

The Trump administration has again appealed to the US Supreme Court to implement its restrictions on mail-in voting after a federal judge blocked the US Postal Service (USPS) from enforcing key parts of the rules ahead of the November midterm elections. Critics say the measures could restrict access to mail-in voting, which is a major and potentially decisive part of US elections. The Trump administration claims the restrictions are intended to ensure that ineligible people, including non-US citizens, do not receive or cast federal-election ballots. The court battle is heating up even as states have started sending ballots for the November 3 polls.<h2>US postal ballot row: The legal showdown so far</h2>The Trump administration's latest appeal on Sunday (Sep 6) came after US District Judge Indira Talwani on September 4 issued a preliminary injunction preventing USPS from enforcing key mandatory parts of its new mail-ballot requirements. An earlier temporary restraining order had also blocked parts of the USPS rule. Talwani said states would face serious practical difficulties implementing the changes so late in the election cycle and that doing so could risk disenfranchising eligible voters.The administration has appealed Talwani's ruling to the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and has also returned to the Supreme Court seeking an emergency stay of the preliminary injunction.Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has set September 9 as the deadline for responses to the latest government request.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-gives-trump-temporary-win-on-mail-in-voting-restrictions-1787620685760">US Supreme Court gives Trump temporary win on mail-in voting restrictions</a><h2>Trump's USPS orders: Why does he want to restrict voting by mail?</h2>At the heart of the row is an executive order issued by Trump on March 31, formally titled "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections", directing USPS to introduce new procedures for federal-election mail ballots.The final USPS rule issued in August requires states using the postal service for federal-election ballots to comply with new standards for ballot and return-envelope design. It also requires election officials to provide information about voters receiving mail ballots through a new Federal Ballot Mail Portal. Ballot envelopes are required to carry unique Intelligent Mail barcodes.Under the rule, USPS would not mail ballots that fail to meet the prescribed requirements or are associated with voters not included in the required information submitted through the federal system.The Democratic opposition and several states pushed back against the reforms, arguing that they could disenfranchise valid voters and improperly intrude on states' authority over elections. The administration insists the rules are about operating the federal postal system, not controlling how elections are conducted.The government argues that states will continue to have final authority over voter eligibility, ballot content, election deadlines and the counting of votes. The administration also says the USPS requirements are limited to the use of the federal postal network.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-allows-states-to-count-mail-in-ballots-that-arrive-late-trump-calls-it-tremendous-loss-1782758597695">US Supreme Court allows states to count mail-in ballots that arrive late; Trump calls it ‘tremendous loss’</a><h2>Trump's reforms on mail-in ballots came too late, and critics see a disruption risk</h2>Critics argue that USPS lacks the authority to impose conditions on state election systems and that introducing such rules just weeks ahead of the election could cause widespread disruption.Talwani, in her ruling, stressed the practical difficulties facing states. Election officials have already prepared millions of ballots under existing procedures, and changing envelope designs, voter-data procedures and postal requirements at this stage could create confusion and delays.The case also raises broader constitutional questions because US elections are primarily administered by state and local authorities. The challengers argue that Trump's executive order cannot by itself give USPS the power to impose new conditions on states using the federal postal system.<h2>States have already started sending out mail ballots</h2>The legal battle is unfolding as the election process is already underway. North Carolina became the first state to begin sending out mail-in ballots for the 2026 midterm elections on September 4. Other states are expected to follow in the coming weeks. This has increased the urgency of the Supreme Court case, as election officials are now working under existing state procedures while the administration seeks permission to introduce the new federal postal requirements.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-donald-trump-lashes-out-at-low-polling-numbers-republicans-projected-to-lose-1788195004747/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-donald-trump-lashes-out-at-low-polling-numbers-republicans-projected-to-lose-1788195004747/embed</a>&nbsp;<h2>Why are mail-in ballots a crucial issue?</h2>Nearly one-third of US voters are expected to cast their ballots by mail. Any major change to the system this close to the election could impact how voters receive and return their ballots.A whistleblower has alleged that the Federal Ballot Mail Portal was developed rapidly and inadequately tested. One concern raised in the disclosure is that a failure to verify a single ballot in a batch could result in the entire batch being rejected for correction and another verification cycle. Such problems could potentially delay ballot processing and create additional pressure on election officials and USPS.USPS has disputed claims that it has ignored court orders and says it has been developing the system while complying with judicial directives.The Supreme Court's response could now be crucial. If the justices grant the administration's request, key parts of Trump's proposed mail-ballot system could be implemented for the 2026 midterm elections. If they leave Talwani's injunction in place, the new mandatory requirements will remain blocked while the broader legal challenge continues.

Trump is once again appealing to the Supreme Court to enforce his mail-ballot restrictions. States have started sending ballots for the 2026 midterms. Voting access and election procedures are now a legal battle. Here is why it matters

The Trump administration has again appealed to the US Supreme Court to implement its restrictions on mail-in voting after a federal judge blocked the US Postal Service (USPS) from enforcing key parts of the rules ahead of the November midterm elections. Critics say the measures could restrict access to mail-in voting, which is a major and potentially decisive part of US elections. The Trump administration claims the restrictions are intended to ensure that ineligible people, including non-US citizens, do not receive or cast federal-election ballots. The court battle is heating up even as states have started sending ballots for the November 3 polls. US postal ballot row: The legal showdown so far The Trump administration's latest appeal on Sunday (Sep 6) came after US District Judge Indira Talwani on September 4 issued a preliminary injunction preventing USPS from enforcing key mandatory parts of its new mail-ballot requirements. An earlier temporary restraining order had also blocked parts of the USPS rule. Talwani said states would face serious practical difficulties implementing the changes so late in the election cycle and that doing so could risk disenfranchising eligible voters. The administration has appealed Talwani's ruling to the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and has also returned to the Supreme Court seeking an emergency stay of the preliminary injunction. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has set September 9 as the deadline for responses to the latest government request. Also read: US Supreme Court gives Trump temporary win on mail-in voting restrictions Trump's USPS orders: Why does he want to restrict voting by mail? At the heart of the row is an executive order issued by Trump on March 31, formally titled "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections", directing USPS to introduce new procedures for federal-election mail ballots. The final USPS rule issued in August requires states using the postal service for federal-election ballots to comply with new standards for ballot and return-envelope design. It also requires election officials to provide information about voters receiving mail ballots through a new Federal Ballot Mail Portal. Ballot envelopes are required to carry unique Intelligent Mail barcodes. Under the rule, USPS would not mail ballots that fail to meet the prescribed requirements or are associated with voters not included in the required information submitted through the federal system. The Democratic opposition and several states pushed back against the reforms, arguing that they could disenfranchise valid voters and improperly intrude on states' authority over elections. The administration insists the rules are about operating the federal postal system, not controlling how elections are conducted. The government argues that states will continue to have final authority over voter eligibility, ballot content, election deadlines and the counting of votes. The administration also says the USPS requirements are limited to the use of the federal postal network. Also read: US Supreme Court allows states to count mail-in ballots that arrive late; Trump calls it ‘tremendous loss’ Trump's reforms on mail-in ballots came too late, and critics see a disruption risk Critics argue that USPS lacks the authority to impose conditions on state election systems and that introducing such rules just weeks ahead of the election could cause widespread disruption. Talwani, in her ruling, stressed the practical difficulties facing states. Election officials have already prepared millions of ballots under existing procedures, and changing envelope designs, voter-data procedures and postal requirements at this stage could create confusion and delays. The case also raises broader constitutional questions because US elections are primarily administered by state and local authorities. The challengers argue that Trump's executive order cannot by itself give USPS the power to impose new conditions on states using the federal postal system. States have already started sending out mail ballots The legal battle is unfolding as the election process is already underway. North Carolina became the first state to begin sending out mail-in ballots for the 2026 midterm elections on September 4. Other states are expected to follow in the coming weeks. This has increased the urgency of the Supreme Court case, as election officials are now working under existing state procedures while the administration seeks permission to introduce the new federal postal requirements. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-donald-trump-lashes-out-at-low-polling-numbers-republicans-projected-to-lose-1788195004747/embed Why are mail-in ballots a crucial issue? Nearly one-third of US voters are expected to cast their ballots by mail. Any major change to the system this close to the election could impact how voters receive and return their ballots. A whistleblower has alleged that the Federal Ballot Mail Portal was developed rapidly and inadequately tested. One concern raised in the disclosure is that a failure to verify a single ballot in a batch could result in the entire batch being rejected for correction and another verification cycle. Such problems could potentially delay ballot processing and create additional pressure on election officials and USPS. USPS has disputed claims that it has ignored court orders and says it has been developing the system while complying with judicial directives. The Supreme Court's response could now be crucial. If the justices grant the administration's request, key parts of Trump's proposed mail-ballot system could be implemented for the 2026 midterm elections. If they leave Talwani's injunction in place, the new mandatory requirements will remain blocked while the broader legal challenge continues.

Trump is once again appealing to the Supreme Court to enforce his mail-ballot restrictions. States have started sending ballots for the 2026 midterms. Voting access and election procedures are now a legal battle. Here is why it matters

Is Trump trying to control midterm postal ballots? Supreme Court decision could affect one-third of votes

It is midterm election season in the US, and President Donald Trump has't got much to show for victory in Iran war. Reports, including in Wall Street Journal, suggest that he is weighing whether to declare the Iran war over. Trump administration has meanwhile officially asked for ending the usage of the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’, which started the war on February 28. Trump's Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is planning US troops extension in the Middle East into 2027, and the Pentagon appears to be readying for a prolonged US military presence in the Gulf. Is there a gap between the thinking of the president and Hegseth on the course of the war?<h2>Operation Fury naming officially ends</h2>The Pentagon has said months ago that Operation Epic Fury officially ended on May 5. &nbsp;An August 7 Air Force email obtained by CBS News instructed military leaders to stop using the name in Iran operations, which still continued with occasional strikes from the US Central Command targeting Iranian assets. The letter told the services to use the term "overseas operations in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility." This guidance from Hegseth's public affairs office was disseminated across the Defence Department, according to officials cited by CBS News.Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said on May 5 itself that Operation Epic Fury is over.&nbsp;"The president notified Congress…we're done with that stage of it. We're now on to this Project Freedom," he had said at the time.Hegseth separately described Project Freedom as a defensive maritime mission protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-targets-us-bases-in-jordan-bahrain-kuwait-erbil-1788372289618/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-targets-us-bases-in-jordan-bahrain-kuwait-erbil-1788372289618/embed</a><h2>What's in a name? The broader conflict has not ended and Pentagon is preparing for longer war</h2>Whatever name the US gives it, the reality is that the conflict is far from over. Trump notified Congress on July 7 that "military action" against Iran had restarted after talks collapsed and the April ceasefire ended. Since then, US and Iranian forces have continued exchanging fire up to this week.The WSJ report said that Hegseth is extending troop deployments into 2027. The Pentagon is maintaining about 50,000 troops and 19 warships in the region. This includes two aircraft carriers and 13 guided-missile destroyers.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rubio-on-modi-pezeshkian-meeting-no-country-should-help-iran-evade-sanctions-1788406366516">Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions'</a>&nbsp;These military assets are engaged in intercepting Iranian missiles, protecting commercial shipping across Hormuz, and blockading Iranian ports. US forces remain ready for larger strikes.Army air-defence deployments reportedly shifted from nine to 12 months.The USS Gerald R Ford spent 11 months at sea before returning in May, while the USS Theodore Roosevelt is preparing for a longer-than-normal deployment.&nbsp;The WSJ reported that elements of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division could remain in the Middle East well into 2027. It quoted Bryan Clark, a former senior Navy official, as saying: "They're setting it up to be sustained over the long haul, meaning well into next year."<h2>As midterms loom, Trump has an Iran war exit dilemma</h2>US officials told the WSJ that Trump is privately discussing with aides whether to declare the war over. Trump favours economic pressure on Iran, which he beilives can force the Islamic Republic to dismantle its nuclear programme."I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing. They are just playing out the inevitable. When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?," Trump recently wrote on Truth Social.Some of his aides &nbsp;warned that further escalation could damage Republican prospects in the November midterm elections. Trump maintains he doesn't care about the midterms, and that the poll prospects are not influencing his decisions. The strain is already visible, even as he inisists that the US forces remain ready to strike "any time we want".Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-launches-retaliatory-strikes-with-missiles-and-drones-iranian-media-1788294861231">Iran launches retaliatory strikes with missiles and drones; Trump warns of ‘much harder’ attack</a>&nbsp;According to Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies , a further extension of air-defence deployments could wea out troops, delay maintenance and hamper longer-term modernisation.&nbsp;But a recent military letter to families of servicemen said "a longer tour weighs heavily on every household, including our own."What are these mixed signals telling us? Trump may be looking for a political and diplomatic exit from the Iran war. But Hegseth's Pentagon is positioning US forces for a conflict that could last well into 2027. At this time, both are looking for a fig leaf, a headline that they can take to Americans and the world, to claim victory against Iran.

A report claimed that Trump is weighing to end the Iran war. A military letter has asked for not using the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’ for US operations in the Gulf. But US troop deployments are being extended into 2027. Midterm concerns, economic pressure, or mixed signals?

It is midterm election season in the US, and President Donald Trump has't got much to show for victory in Iran war. Reports, including in Wall Street Journal, suggest that he is weighing whether to declare the Iran war over. Trump administration has meanwhile officially asked for ending the usage of the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’, which started the war on February 28. Trump's Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is planning US troops extension in the Middle East into 2027, and the Pentagon appears to be readying for a prolonged US military presence in the Gulf. Is there a gap between the thinking of the president and Hegseth on the course of the war? Operation Fury naming officially ends The Pentagon has said months ago that Operation Epic Fury officially ended on May 5. An August 7 Air Force email obtained by CBS News instructed military leaders to stop using the name in Iran operations, which still continued with occasional strikes from the US Central Command targeting Iranian assets. The letter told the services to use the term "overseas operations in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility." This guidance from Hegseth's public affairs office was disseminated across the Defence Department, according to officials cited by CBS News. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said on May 5 itself that Operation Epic Fury is over. "The president notified Congress…we're done with that stage of it. We're now on to this Project Freedom," he had said at the time. Hegseth separately described Project Freedom as a defensive maritime mission protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-targets-us-bases-in-jordan-bahrain-kuwait-erbil-1788372289618/embed What's in a name? The broader conflict has not ended and Pentagon is preparing for longer war Whatever name the US gives it, the reality is that the conflict is far from over. Trump notified Congress on July 7 that "military action" against Iran had restarted after talks collapsed and the April ceasefire ended. Since then, US and Iranian forces have continued exchanging fire up to this week. The WSJ report said that Hegseth is extending troop deployments into 2027. The Pentagon is maintaining about 50,000 troops and 19 warships in the region. This includes two aircraft carriers and 13 guided-missile destroyers. Also read: Rubio on Modi-Pezeshkian meeting: 'No country should help Iran evade sanctions' These military assets are engaged in intercepting Iranian missiles, protecting commercial shipping across Hormuz, and blockading Iranian ports. US forces remain ready for larger strikes. Army air-defence deployments reportedly shifted from nine to 12 months. The USS Gerald R Ford spent 11 months at sea before returning in May, while the USS Theodore Roosevelt is preparing for a longer-than-normal deployment. The WSJ reported that elements of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division could remain in the Middle East well into 2027. It quoted Bryan Clark, a former senior Navy official, as saying: "They're setting it up to be sustained over the long haul, meaning well into next year." As midterms loom, Trump has an Iran war exit dilemma US officials told the WSJ that Trump is privately discussing with aides whether to declare the war over. Trump favours economic pressure on Iran, which he beilives can force the Islamic Republic to dismantle its nuclear programme. "I like our position now much better, with almost total control of the Hormuz Strait, and their economy totally collapsing. They are just playing out the inevitable. When are the Iranian people going to rise up and fight?," Trump recently wrote on Truth Social. Some of his aides warned that further escalation could damage Republican prospects in the November midterm elections. Trump maintains he doesn't care about the midterms, and that the poll prospects are not influencing his decisions. The strain is already visible, even as he inisists that the US forces remain ready to strike "any time we want". Also read: Iran launches retaliatory strikes with missiles and drones; Trump warns of ‘much harder’ attack According to Tom Karako of the Center for Strategic and International Studies , a further extension of air-defence deployments could wea out troops, delay maintenance and hamper longer-term modernisation. But a recent military letter to families of servicemen said "a longer tour weighs heavily on every household, including our own." What are these mixed signals telling us? Trump may be looking for a political and diplomatic exit from the Iran war. But Hegseth's Pentagon is positioning US forces for a conflict that could last well into 2027. At this time, both are looking for a fig leaf, a headline that they can take to Americans and the world, to claim victory against Iran.

A report hinted that Trump is weighing to end the Iran war. A military letter has asked for not using the term ‘Operation Epic Fury’ for US operations in the Gulf. But US troop deployments are being extended into 2027. Midterm concerns, economic pressure, or mixed signals?

Is Trump ending Iran war? 'Operation Fury' naming ends, Hegseth extends troop plan to 2027 as prez appears tired ahead of midterms

The upcoming midterm elections in the US are turning out to be a high-stakes race, not only for diplomatic ramifications, but also for domestic issues and influence.&nbsp;According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, major US firms are already preparing for a possible turnaround in congressional control this November.&nbsp;Companies with close ties to US President Donald Trump in particular are reportedly taking measures to gain favour with the opposing camp, the Democrats.&nbsp;The steps come amid a possible chance that the blue camp may flip the House of Representatives and claim the majority, which the Republicans currently control.&nbsp;Several companies that donated vast sums of money to Trump's projects are now preparing for possible congressional and even potential criminal investigations. So, how are these companies trying to wade through this uncertain political landscape?&nbsp;Well, the report says that major corporate organisations are trying to balance out the money given to the red camp by now donating millions to Democratic lawmakers ahead of the midterms.&nbsp;Executives and board members from some large public companies across sectors are reportedly discussing how to stay out of Democratic crosshairs and how to stay as neutral as possible to evade formal subpoenas and investigations if the House flips in the next three months.&nbsp;The change in strategy also comes amid statements from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who said that the Democratic Party is focused on affordability, as well as holding companies accountable.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-consolidates-power-china-s-top-military-body-left-with-just-two-after-generals-purged-1787923218445">Xi consolidates power: China’s top military body left with just two after generals purged</a>&nbsp;Jeffries is likely to become the House Speaker in the scenario that the Democrats do cross the simple majority mark.&nbsp;This is what the existing makeup of the House of Representatives looks like. Out of a total of 435 seats, Republicans currently have 219, while Democrats represent 212 of the seats.&nbsp;The halfway mark is at 218, and this is where it gets interesting. There are currently four vacant seats in the House. These seats are only filled by a special election or the next approaching election cycle.The four vacancies are from the following parts of America: the 14th District of California, the 23rd District of Texas, the 20th District of Florida and the 13th District of Georgia.&nbsp;The midterms are turning out to be a high-stakes battle for all stakeholders, but more so for the incumbent president and his Republican Party, especially if popularity polls are anything to go by.&nbsp;The past few polls have shown a steady decline in Trump's popularity overall, but the biggest trigger has been voters' unhappiness with the long-drawn Iran war and Trump's handling of the economy.It appears that companies that contributed millions to the president's legacy projects are also looking at how the numbers stack up in popularity polls.&nbsp;Hence, the decision to regroup and strategise on a potential change in the power structure at Capitol Hill.&nbsp;The question is: Will their early outreach to the Democrats help them evade scrutiny?

Major US companies with close ties to Donald Trump are reportedly reaching out to Democrats and hedging their political bets as they prepare for a possible Democratic takeover of the House in the 2026 midterm elections.

The upcoming midterm elections in the US are turning out to be a high-stakes race, not only for diplomatic ramifications, but also for domestic issues and influence. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, major US firms are already preparing for a possible turnaround in congressional control this November. Companies with close ties to US President Donald Trump in particular are reportedly taking measures to gain favour with the opposing camp, the Democrats. The steps come amid a possible chance that the blue camp may flip the House of Representatives and claim the majority, which the Republicans currently control. Several companies that donated vast sums of money to Trump's projects are now preparing for possible congressional and even potential criminal investigations. So, how are these companies trying to wade through this uncertain political landscape? Well, the report says that major corporate organisations are trying to balance out the money given to the red camp by now donating millions to Democratic lawmakers ahead of the midterms. Executives and board members from some large public companies across sectors are reportedly discussing how to stay out of Democratic crosshairs and how to stay as neutral as possible to evade formal subpoenas and investigations if the House flips in the next three months. The change in strategy also comes amid statements from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who said that the Democratic Party is focused on affordability, as well as holding companies accountable. Also Read: Xi consolidates power: China’s top military body left with just two after generals purged Jeffries is likely to become the House Speaker in the scenario that the Democrats do cross the simple majority mark. This is what the existing makeup of the House of Representatives looks like. Out of a total of 435 seats, Republicans currently have 219, while Democrats represent 212 of the seats. The halfway mark is at 218, and this is where it gets interesting. There are currently four vacant seats in the House. These seats are only filled by a special election or the next approaching election cycle. The four vacancies are from the following parts of America: the 14th District of California, the 23rd District of Texas, the 20th District of Florida and the 13th District of Georgia. The midterms are turning out to be a high-stakes battle for all stakeholders, but more so for the incumbent president and his Republican Party, especially if popularity polls are anything to go by. The past few polls have shown a steady decline in Trump's popularity overall, but the biggest trigger has been voters' unhappiness with the long-drawn Iran war and Trump's handling of the economy. It appears that companies that contributed millions to the president's legacy projects are also looking at how the numbers stack up in popularity polls. Hence, the decision to regroup and strategise on a potential change in the power structure at Capitol Hill. The question is: Will their early outreach to the Democrats help them evade scrutiny?

Major US companies with close ties to Donald Trump are reportedly reaching out to Democrats and hedging their political bets as they prepare for a possible Democratic takeover of the House in the 2026 midterm elections.

US midterms: Companies close to Trump prepare for possible Democratic takeover of House | Race to Power

US President Donald Trump may be heading into the 2026 midterm elections with a problem that could prove costly: women, including white women who helped him expand the Republican coalition in 2024, are showing signs of pulling away. A new national poll shows that white women are falling out of love with Trump, and Democrats may be benefiting from it and are moving from a clear deficit to an eight-point lead among a voting bloc that has long leaned Republican.A national survey of 1,604 women by Bellwether Research and Consulting found that only 32 per cent approve of Trump's job performance. That is well below the roughly 46 per cent of women who backed him in the 2024 presidential election. Even among women who voted for Trump, one in four now disapproves of his performance.The shift is particularly striking among white women, reports The Times. The Bellwether data shows Republicans led Democrats 55 per cent to 44 per cent among white women in 2024. In August 2026, that has flipped, with Democrats ahead 47 per cent to 39 per cent. That is a 19-point swing in the Democratic direction.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-canada-trade-war-trump-orders-lake-ontario-renamed-lake-america-canada-hits-back-1787878478524">US-Canada trade war: Canada hits back as Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed 'Lake America'</a><h2>Economy is a bigger concern than Trump's cultural agenda</h2>The numbers suggest that household finances may be doing more damage to Trump's standing with women than the cultural issues that have defined much of his second term.In the Bellwether survey, 38 per cent of women named the economy and cost of living as the country's most important issue. Healthcare, Medicare, and Social Security came next at 17 per cent, followed by democracy, government, and the rule of law at 11 per cent. Several of Trump's signature policies also faced majority opposition.Around 68 per cent opposed the planned White House ballroom, including 43 per cent of Republican women. Tariffs were opposed by 63 per cent, while 61 per cent opposed data centres being built in their states.The survey also found 55 per cent opposed splitting the MMR vaccine into three separate shots and 53 per cent opposed increased glyphosate production. Deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement were opposed by 51 per cent, although Republican women remained strongly supportive.<h2>White women could become a major midterm problem</h2>The white women's numbers stand out because this was a group Republicans performed particularly well with in recent elections.In 2022, Republican candidates led among white women in the House vote by 8 points. That advantage widened to 11 points in 2024. However, the latest Bellwether figures put Democrats 8 points ahead.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mojtaba-khamenei-alive-dead-iran-war-putting-on-show-mystery-1787800507116">'If he is dead, they're putting on a pretty good show': Trump casts fresh doubt over Mojtaba Khamenei's fate</a><h2>Not a happy White House</h2>The polling comes at a time when the president's relationship with his own staff is reportedly becoming strained. According to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, Trump's White House is "not a happy White House" and said many staff members are already thinking about leaving."Most people have decided that they want to go do something else," Haberman told MS Now.She also said Trump has been "lashing out" at staff, particularly when political circumstances are not going his way. "He is not in a great place with his staff, according to everyone we talked to," Haberman said.The White House responded by attacking Haberman personally, accusing her of being obsessed with Trump.<h2>Karoline Leavitt's exit adds to the questions</h2>One of the most prominent departures is White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who left her post this week after saying she wanted to spend more time with her young family. Trump has backed her decision and said she will remain a top outside adviser and influential voice in Republican politics.

A key voting bloc that helped Donald Trump expand the Republican coalition in 2024 is showing signs of shifting again. New polling suggests women, particularly white women, could emerge as a major problem for Trump and Republicans in the 2026 midterms.

US President Donald Trump may be heading into the 2026 midterm elections with a problem that could prove costly: women, including white women who helped him expand the Republican coalition in 2024, are showing signs of pulling away. A new national poll shows that white women are falling out of love with Trump, and Democrats may be benefiting from it and are moving from a clear deficit to an eight-point lead among a voting bloc that has long leaned Republican. A national survey of 1,604 women by Bellwether Research and Consulting found that only 32 per cent approve of Trump's job performance. That is well below the roughly 46 per cent of women who backed him in the 2024 presidential election. Even among women who voted for Trump, one in four now disapproves of his performance. The shift is particularly striking among white women, reports The Times. The Bellwether data shows Republicans led Democrats 55 per cent to 44 per cent among white women in 2024. In August 2026, that has flipped, with Democrats ahead 47 per cent to 39 per cent. That is a 19-point swing in the Democratic direction. Also read | US-Canada trade war: Canada hits back as Trump orders Lake Ontario renamed 'Lake America' Economy is a bigger concern than Trump's cultural agenda The numbers suggest that household finances may be doing more damage to Trump's standing with women than the cultural issues that have defined much of his second term. In the Bellwether survey, 38 per cent of women named the economy and cost of living as the country's most important issue. Healthcare, Medicare, and Social Security came next at 17 per cent, followed by democracy, government, and the rule of law at 11 per cent. Several of Trump's signature policies also faced majority opposition. Around 68 per cent opposed the planned White House ballroom, including 43 per cent of Republican women. Tariffs were opposed by 63 per cent, while 61 per cent opposed data centres being built in their states. The survey also found 55 per cent opposed splitting the MMR vaccine into three separate shots and 53 per cent opposed increased glyphosate production. Deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement were opposed by 51 per cent, although Republican women remained strongly supportive. White women could become a major midterm problem The white women's numbers stand out because this was a group Republicans performed particularly well with in recent elections. In 2022, Republican candidates led among white women in the House vote by 8 points. That advantage widened to 11 points in 2024. However, the latest Bellwether figures put Democrats 8 points ahead. Also read | 'If he is dead, they're putting on a pretty good show': Trump casts fresh doubt over Mojtaba Khamenei's fate Not a happy White House The polling comes at a time when the president's relationship with his own staff is reportedly becoming strained. According to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, Trump's White House is "not a happy White House" and said many staff members are already thinking about leaving. "Most people have decided that they want to go do something else," Haberman told MS Now. She also said Trump has been "lashing out" at staff, particularly when political circumstances are not going his way. "He is not in a great place with his staff, according to everyone we talked to," Haberman said. The White House responded by attacking Haberman personally, accusing her of being obsessed with Trump. Karoline Leavitt's exit adds to the questions One of the most prominent departures is White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who left her post this week after saying she wanted to spend more time with her young family. Trump has backed her decision and said she will remain a top outside adviser and influential voice in Republican politics.

A key voting bloc that helped Donald Trump expand the Republican coalition in 2024 is showing signs of shifting again. New polling suggests women, particularly white women, could emerge as a major problem for Trump and Republicans in the 2026 midterms.

Trump's women problem? White women abandoning Republicans ahead of 2026 midterms, shows report

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