For almost a year, President Donald Trump has been urging voters not to be concerned about increasing prices. Trump has dismissed worries about affordability as a tactic by Democrats, falsely claimed that consumer prices had decreased during his term when they had actually gone up, and repeatedly stated that gas and diesel costs, which surged after he initiated the conflict with Iran, would soon decrease.
Despite Trump’s assertions, various polls indicate that voters are not convinced, giving him poor ratings on the cost of living. Recent polls show that over 70% of American respondents disapprove of Trump’s management of inflation, as reported by the Silver Bulletin, which compiles public polling data.
The latest inflation figures present a challenge for Trump and the Republican Party as they aim to retain control of the U.S. Congress in the upcoming midterm elections on Nov. 3. The U.S. Department of Labor disclosed that the consumer price index rose by 3.7% in September compared to the previous year, primarily driven by increases in fuel and clothing prices.
Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling Center in Boston, highlights that polling indicates the economy is the primary concern for voters nationwide leading up to the midterms. Kimball notes that the cost of living, more than jobs or taxes, is the underlying issue affecting voters’ economic concerns.
Kimball emphasizes that everyday expenses are accumulating, causing worry about affordability among the public. He doubts that there will be a quick resolution to the rising gas prices and other living costs in the next three weeks.
Trump’s recent travels across the country reflect the political repercussions of the situation as he endeavors to bolster Republican chances of winning Senate seats. Trump’s visits to traditionally Republican states like Alaska, Kansas, Ohio, and Texas, which he won decisively in the 2024 election, underscore the urgency to secure these seats amidst the midterms.
Tim Malloy, a polling analyst with the Quinnipiac University Poll, characterizes Trump’s recent trips as a desperate attempt to support endangered Republican candidates facing potential losses due to cost of living concerns. Malloy questions the effectiveness of any last-minute efforts by Republicans at this stage.
The predominant worry among voters, according to polling, revolves around gas prices, with Trump facing criticism for failing to deliver on his promises. Rising prices have forced individuals like Juliana Kaiser in Martinsburg, W.Va., to adopt cost-cutting measures like baking their own bread and reducing driving to cope with the financial strain. These concerns are likely to influence voter decisions in the upcoming midterms.