Sunday shows preview: Trump rejects Iran deal after week of high-stakes meetings; GOP clammers to keep Congress

Trump Turns Down Iran’s Proposal as Midterm Pressure Intensifies

Provpnadvice.com – President Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal for a temporary agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and pause military action, adding uncertainty to a conflict that has already raised energy costs and become a major political issue ahead of the midterm elections.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Saturday, Trump said Tehran had offered a seven-day arrangement. While he indicated he was open to negotiations in principle, he dismissed the specific terms presented by Iran.

“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine,” the president said. “I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable.”

The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the dispute. The waterway is a critical corridor for oil shipments, and its closure has contributed to higher energy prices during the monthslong U.S.-Iran conflict. For American households, those price pressures have increased the political stakes as voters focus on living costs.

Iran conflict weighs on Trump’s approval numbers

Trump enters the final stretch before the midterms facing growing public unease over the war and its economic effects. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released this week put his job approval rating at 32 percent, the lowest level of his presidency. Just 17 percent of respondents approved of his handling of rising living costs.

The president has repeatedly urged voters to treat the November elections as though he were personally on the ballot, making the outcome especially important for his political standing. Some Republicans worry that dissatisfaction with the conflict could weaken the party’s effort to retain control of Congress.

Sen. John Kennedy, the Republican senator from Louisiana and a prominent Trump supporter, is scheduled to discuss the party’s strategy on Sunday as Election Day approaches in less than six weeks.

Iranian leaders set for major Sunday interviews

The diplomatic effort surrounding the Strait of Hormuz will be a dominant subject on the Sunday political programs. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently spoke with Margaret Brennan about the conflict, and that interview is set to air on “Face the Nation.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has headed Iran’s delegation in negotiations over reopening the strait, is also expected to address the talks during an appearance on “Meet the Press.”

Trump’s United Nations ambassador, Mike Waltz, will appear on both “Meet the Press” and CNN’s “State of the Union,” offering the administration’s view of the conflict and the broader diplomatic effort.

Earlier this week, Trump traveled to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, where he delivered a forceful defense of his Iran policy before holding meetings with foreign leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, also met with members of the Iranian delegation away from the main proceedings.

In his address, Trump called on other countries to support stronger economic pressure against Tehran and reiterated his opposition to Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.

“They were the bully of the Middle East, but they are the bully no more,” Trump said. “From the first day I entered the political arena, I’ve been unwavering. I will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

China visit adds another foreign-policy test

The Iran dispute was not the only international issue drawing attention at the White House. Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first U.S. state visit in more than a decade, receiving a formal welcome that included a state dinner, a tour of Trump’s changes to the White House grounds and an exchange of gifts.

Trump and Xi discussed artificial intelligence and Taiwan, though the summit generated few major policy announcements. The president has resisted calls to slow development of advanced AI, arguing that the United States must remain competitive with China despite concerns about the technology’s potential risks.

After meeting with Xi on Friday, Trump described the discussion positively and highlighted their exchange on artificial intelligence in a Truth Social post.

“Like almost everyone else, he seemed to like calling the poorly and inaccurately named Artificial Intelligence to a far more accurate and important name, SUPER INTELLIGENCE,” Trump wrote.

David Perdue, the U.S. ambassador to China, is scheduled to discuss Xi’s visit on “Fox News Sunday.”

Sunday show guest lineup

NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” plans to feature Rep. Rick Crawford, Republican of Arkansas, and Rep. Adam Smith, Democrat of Washington.

“Face the Nation” will include Pezeshkian; Taiwan’s ambassador to the United States, Alexander Yui; Rep. Jim Himes, Democrat of Connecticut and ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; and Kennedy.

“State of the Union” is scheduled to host Waltz, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, and Sen. Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina.

“Fox News Sunday” will feature Perdue, Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri and NASA astronaut Chris Williams.

“Meet the Press” is set to include Araghchi, Waltz, Rep. Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

“Sunday Morning Futures” will feature Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Sen. Bill Hagerty.