Badenoch Says Trump Deserved Midterm Defeat, Blames ‘Self-Inflicted’ Political Setback

British Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has said United States President Donald Trump deserved his party’s defeat in the midterm elections, describing the outcome as “entirely self-inflicted” over his handling of the Iran war, trade policies and treatment of international allies.

In an interview with The Independent, Badenoch said Trump had failed to demonstrate the principles expected of a conservative leader, particularly his approach to free markets, international relations and public conduct.

The Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections, flipping at least seven Senate seats and more than two dozen House districts in a major setback for Trump’s Republican Party.

Asked whether Trump deserved the defeat, Badenoch responded: “Yeah. He has not been acting in the way that I would consider conservative.”

She criticised his tariffs, threats towards Canada and Greenland, and disagreements with traditional allies, arguing that such actions contradicted conservative values.

“Where is the push for free markets and better trade… rather than protectionism, America first, the squabbling with allies? That’s not what conservatives do,” she said.

Badenoch also faulted Trump for his personal attacks on journalists and political figures, saying his conduct fell short of the standards expected of a statesman.

“Trump is very charming in person, but you see the way that he talks about journalists, about individuals. It doesn’t meet the standards a statesman should meet – always wanting to get dirty in terms of insults and so on,” she said.

She expressed particular displeasure with his remarks about British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and described his treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting at the White House as “awful”.

On the Iran conflict, Badenoch said she understood and supported Trump’s initial decision to take military action over concerns that Tehran could acquire nuclear weapons. However, she questioned the absence of a clear strategy for the conflict.

“We don’t want them getting nuclear weapons. But where’s the plan?” she asked.

The Conservative leader also suggested she would have been comfortable with Trump losing the 2024 presidential election to Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Asked which candidate she preferred, she replied: “I would say I like them both equally. Make of that what you will.”

Badenoch further argued that Trump had squandered the broad coalition of voters that helped secure his return to the White House, including gains among Latino and Black voters.

She said his early decisions, particularly the introduction of tariffs and comments about Greenland and Canada, had raised questions among supporters about the direction of his administration.

“What’s the first thing he does? Tariffs, and then talking about Greenland and Canada. A lot of people were wondering, ‘What are you doing?’” she said.

Badenoch became leader of the UK Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition in November 2024. Born Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke in London in 1980 to Nigerian parents, she previously served as Business and Trade Secretary under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.