For almost a year, President Donald Trump has been urging voters to remain calm amid increasing prices. He has dismissed concerns about affordability as a tactic by Democrats, wrongly claimed that consumer prices had decreased during his tenure when they had actually risen, and repeatedly predicted a decline in gas and diesel prices following the conflict with Iran.
Despite Trump’s efforts, various polls indicate that voters are not swayed by his assertions, giving him poor ratings on the cost of living. Recent polls show that over 70% of American respondents disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation, as per data from Silver Bulletin, which aggregates public polling.
The latest inflation figures are not in Trump’s favor as he and the Republican Party seek to retain control of the U.S. Congress in the upcoming midterm elections on November 3. The U.S. Department of Labor reported a 3.7% increase in the consumer price index in September compared to the previous year, primarily driven by higher fuel and clothing prices.
Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling Center in Boston, notes that polling indicates the economy is the top concern for voters nationwide heading into the midterms. However, Kimball highlights that the cost of living, rather than employment or taxes, is the underlying issue driving these economic concerns.
Kimball emphasized that everyday expenses are mounting, causing worry among individuals about affordability. He expressed skepticism about a quick resolution to rising gas prices and other living costs in the short term.
Trump has been actively campaigning in various states, including Alaska, Kansas, Ohio, and Texas, where he previously secured significant victories. Tim Malloy, a polling analyst at Quinnipiac University Poll, views Trump’s recent travels as a frantic attempt to bolster Republican candidates facing unexpected challenges due to cost of living issues.
Malloy believes that gas prices, a key concern in polling, are being attributed to Trump by voters who feel let down by unfulfilled promises. Residents in Martinsburg, W.Va., have voiced their struggles with rising prices, with some resorting to food pantries to cope. Individuals like Christalyn Levy, a local thrift store cashier, are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.
Similarly, Juliana Kaiser, a Martinsburg resident, has adjusted her lifestyle by baking her own bread and cutting back on driving to save money. She plans to consider escalating prices when casting her vote in the upcoming midterms.