RismadarVoice Reporters
November 7, 2026
British Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has said United States President Donald Trump deserved the Republican Party’s defeat in the 2026 midterm elections, describing the outcome as a consequence of his political decisions.
Badenoch made the remarks in an interview with The Independent, criticising Trump’s handling of the war in Iran, trade policies and relations with international allies.
Her comments followed Tuesday’s midterm elections, in which Democrats secured control of both chambers of the United States Congress, gaining at least seven Senate seats and numerous House districts previously held by Republicans.
Asked whether Trump deserved the electoral setback, Badenoch replied that he had failed to govern according to the conservative principles she considered important.
She described the Republican defeat as “entirely self-inflicted”, arguing that voters expected practical results rather than political confrontation.
Badenoch criticised Trump’s tariffs and his remarks concerning Canada and Greenland, maintaining that protectionism and disputes with allies contradicted conservative commitments to free markets and international trade.
The British opposition leader also questioned Trump’s conduct towards journalists and political opponents, saying his public insults fell below the standards expected of a statesman.
She expressed displeasure over his remarks about British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and criticised his treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a White House meeting.
Addressing the Iran conflict, Badenoch said she understood the initial justification for military action because of concerns about Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
However, she questioned whether the Trump administration had developed a clear strategy for the conflict and its consequences.
Badenoch further argued that Trump had failed to retain the broad coalition of voters who supported his return to the White House in 2024, including sections of the Latino and Black electorate.
She suggested that his emphasis on tariffs and territorial disputes had distracted from economic priorities important to voters.
The Conservative leader also revealed that she would have been comfortable with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris winning the 2024 presidential election.
When asked to compare Harris and Trump, Badenoch said she regarded both politicians equally, declining to express a clear personal preference.
Her remarks represent a notable public criticism of the American president by the leader of Britain’s main opposition party.
Badenoch became Conservative Party leader in November 2024, having previously served as Business and Trade Secretary under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
