FACT CHECK: Former Senator John Sununu Has Consistently Backed Trump’s War in Iran, Downplayed Economic Pain Caused to New Hampshire Families

MANCHESTER, N.H. — When confronted with the economic cost and loss of life weighing on the Granite State and country as a result of Donald Trump’s war of choice in Iran, the President’s hand-picked candidate for U.S. Senate, former Senator John Sununu, claimed he’s said “for months” that “we never should have gone in.” 

The truth? Sununu “has been defending” and “cheering on” Trump’s war, calling it “important and critical” and a “success,” and even said, “we should” be engaged in the conflict. 

Chris Pappas offers New Hampshire voters a stark contrast to Trump’s biggest cheerleader, John Sununu. Pappas is the only candidate in this race who has consistently said that the war needs to end. He’s repeatedly voted to bring this disastrous war to a close and he’s leading efforts to deliver relief at the pump. 

Get the facts below: 

FACT: John Sununu defended Trump’s war in Iran and asserted that “we should” be engaged in the conflict.

• Sununu backed Trump’s decision to enter the war in Iran, saying, “We’re destroying their ability as we speak and as we should.“

• Sununu claimed Trump’s war in Iran had been “very effective” and stated, “I do think [his] objectives are clear.”

• John Sununu called Trump’s war in Iran, which has cost American taxpayers more than $43.6 billion and the lives of at least 19 service members, a “success.”

• When asked about the uptick in gas prices as a result of military operations in Iran, Sununu defended Trump’s operation, calling the mission “important and critical.”

FACT: John Sununu downplayed the economic pain Trump’s war is causing Granite Staters while Sununu profits.

• In June, Sununu repeatedly downplayed and dodged questions about the economic burden the war is putting on Granite Staters, saying the impact has “​​been a little less” than predicted and asserting that “the impact will be even less as the price of oil goes down.”

• Oil prices have since risen, coming within striking distance of their all-time highest levels.

• Americans have now spent an additional $107 billion on gas since the start of Trump’s Iran war, averaging an extra $840 in gas costs per New Hampshire family.

• Families have also paid an additional $334 on electricity in 2025 and the first six months of 2026.

• As this war continues, the average household will pay 31% more for home heating oil, running the average household nearly $2,300 this winter.

• Granite Staters are footing the bill for Trump’s war all while Sununu profits from sizable investments in Big Oil companies like Exxon Mobil and Shell and has received over $80,000 in campaign contributions from the industry.

FACT: Chris Pappas voted six times to end Trump’s war and is leading the effort to deliver relief at the pump.

• Pappas is fighting to rein in Trump’s reckless war in Iran and repeatedly voted to reassert Congress’s authority to oversee and approve the deployment of U.S. military power abroad.

• Pappas is leading the fight to provide relief at the pump and lower costs for Granite State families and small businesses by suspending the federal gas tax through the 2026 fiscal year.

• Pappas also wrote bipartisan legislation to cut taxes for middle-class families grappling with high energy costs, which would save households hundreds of dollars a year on energy.

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