For almost a year, U.S. President Donald Trump has been urging voters not to be alarmed by increasing prices. Trump has dismissed concerns about affordability as a scheme by Democrats, claimed consumer prices had decreased during his administration when they had actually gone up, and repeatedly stated that gas and diesel costs, which surged after the conflict with Iran, would soon decrease. However, various polls indicate that voters are not convinced by Trump’s assertions, giving him poor ratings on the cost of living.
Recent polling data from Silver Bulletin, which compiles public polling information, reveals that over 70% of American respondents disapprove of Trump’s management of inflation. This does not bode well 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, less than three weeks away.
The U.S. Department of Labor reported that the consumer price index rose by 3.7% in September compared to the previous year, primarily due to increases in fuel and clothing prices. Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling Center in Boston, highlights that polling shows the economy is the primary concern for voters leading up to the midterms. Kimball emphasizes that the cost of living, rather than employment or taxes, underlies these economic worries.
Kimball mentions that daily expenses are accumulating, causing people to worry about affordability. With the looming midterms, Trump has been traveling extensively across the U.S. to bolster Republican candidates’ Senate prospects. Polling analyst Tim Malloy from Quinnipiac University Poll in Connecticut describes Trump’s recent travels as a desperate attempt to support imperiled Republican candidates facing potential losses due to cost of living issues.
Gas prices are a significant worry among voters, with many blaming Trump for the situation. In Martinsburg, W.Va., a staunchly Republican community, residents are feeling the financial strain caused by rising prices, leading to challenges in affording essentials. Individuals like Christalyn Levy, a local thrift store cashier, express their struggles with grocery shopping and the need to rely on food pantries due to financial constraints.
Juliana Kaiser, another local resident, mentions adapting by baking her own bread and reducing gas usage to cut expenses. She emphasizes that the escalating prices will influence her voting decisions in the upcoming midterms.