US military veterans are turning on Donald Trump and the Republican party as the Iran war drives fuel prices past $6 a gallon ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
In today’s bonus episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey is joined by US reporters Poppy Wood and Ben Smith, who have been speaking to ex-military voters and candidates at the Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia and key midterm races.
They examine why Republican ex-servicemen are increasingly choosing to sit out the vote and how an ex-Green Berets independent candidate is part of a broader veteran movement to challenge both mainstream parties.
Plus, leaked audio shows Ken Paxton, a close Trump ally running for a Republican Senate seat in Texas, criticising the war’s economic fallout for Americans, and the latest predictions for who will win what in Congress.
Highlights
- US veterans revolt against Trump and Republicans ahead of midterms
- Iran war causes $6 diesel spike for Americans
CONTRIBUTORS:
Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey
Poppy Wood, US correspondent @poppyeh
Benedict Smith, Washington correspondent @bsmithjourno
WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk
CONTENT REFERENCED:
Veterans turn on Trump over Iran war
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/28/veterans-trump-iran-war-midterms-dispatch/
Green Beret leads ‘double haters’ in mission to blow up midterms
The Left-wing streamer becoming a toxic liability for Democrats
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/09/25/hasan-piker-controversy-abdul-ed-sayed-us-midterms/
Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Bronze Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026
Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026
Nominated Podcast of the Year - London Press Club Awards 2026
The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026
Producers: Peter Shevlin and Max Bower
Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh
Studio Operator: Andy Watson
Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey
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