Nigel Farage has criticized his friend Donald Trump for "failing to keep promises," particularly regarding foreign wars, suggesting this contributed to the Republican party's significant losses in the recent U.S. midterm elections.
Farage stated on Thursday that Trump "broke a promise" by engaging in an eight-month conflict with Iran, which he believes led to a rise in gas and diesel prices and ultimately hurt the party at the polls. "The key is keeping your promises," Farage remarked.
The U.S. midterm elections saw the Republican party lose control of both houses of Congress, a development widely interpreted as a vote against the protracted conflict with Iran. Trump and his allies had initially suggested the conflict could be won quickly.
Farage, who initially supported the conflict, later expressed reservations, stating the UK should avoid involvement in another foreign war. At a press conference in London, he elaborated, calling the war a "mistake." He questioned the strategy of engaging in prolonged conflict, contrasting it with Trump's past stances against interventions in Libya and Iraq, and his campaign promise of "no more foreign wars."
His remarks came as Reform UK announced the appointment of Angus MacIntyre as its new defense spokesman. MacIntyre advocated for increased UK support for Ukraine, which prompted Farage to reiterate his views on the causes behind Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Farage referenced the late U.S. foreign policy advisor Henry Kissinger's opinions on NATO's eastward expansion after the fall of the Soviet Union, suggesting it contributed to Russian aggression.