Trump votes in Florida midterms, defends controversial ad, doubles down on Iran war

US President Donald Trump voted in Florida’s midterm elections on Saturday, saying he had supported Republican candidates across the ballot before heading to Georgia for a campaign rally.Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived together at a polling station at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office in West Palm Beach. The president had spent the morning at a nearby golf course before casting his vote.Trump has previously faced criticism for voting by mail despite repeatedly attacking the practice. Asked whether he had voted for candidates from his own party, he replied, "Very much so."Trump defends controversial campaign adSpeaking to reporters after voting, Trump defended an advertisement by Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy that has drawn widespread criticism.The ad features the estranged mother of Ramaswamy’s Democratic rival, Dr Amy Acton. She lost custody of her children after her husband, the children's stepfather, was indicted for raping Acton when she was 12.Trump also defended his decision to direct his administration to file a lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s US Senate election if Republican Senator Dan Sullivan loses. The dispute centres on the presence of another candidate named Dan Sullivan on the ballot.Trump comments on Iran warAsked about the war in Iran, Trump said the United States could either continue its military campaign or reach an agreement with Tehran."I may have to finish it off. Or maybe they will make a deal, but I am not sure. Either way, we win."Melania Trump was also asked whether she might travel to Ukraine. Her comments came after she brokered a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the devastated, Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky this week to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations."We will see," she told reporters.Trump backs Republicans in Florida racesIn Florida, Trump has endorsed Republican Representative Byron Donalds in the race to succeed Governor Ron DeSantis, who cannot seek another term because of term limits. Donalds is facing David Jolly, who has moved from the Republican Party to independent politics and later joined the Democratic Party.Trump has also campaigned for Republican Senator Ashley Moody, who is seeking election to the final two years of former Senator Marco Rubio’s term. Moody faces progressive state lawmaker Angie Nixon in the contest.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.