Trump touts a ‘golden age’ while voters feel the squeeze as midterms near
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President Donald Trump is boasting about strong-looking economic statistics, but multiple polls show Americans overwhelmingly blaming his policies for higher prices and worsening daily life, exposing a widening gap between White House spin and public reality ahead of the November midterms.
President Donald Trump used a rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, to trumpet what he called “perfect” economic statistics, insisting the country’s economy is “blowing away” under his second term. He pointed to tax cuts, stock-market gains and lower inflation compared with the previous administration, portraying the moment as a “golden age” for America.
Polls, however, paint a very different picture of how people actually feel. A Pew Research Center survey found only 21% of Americans rate the economy as good, while 65% say Trump’s policies have worsened conditions. An AP-NORC poll reported just 17% approve of his handling of cost-of-living issues, and a Fox News survey showed his overall economic approval has fallen to 29%.
"There’s no doubt that it was one of his strengths and I think it’s what the American people elected him back for," said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s liaison to Congress in his first term.
The underlying economic data remain mixed at best. Consumer prices rose 3.7% in September year-over-year, and gas prices increased 9.1% that month, driven in part by tariffs and the war in Iran, according to Federal Reserve researchers. While the stock market and unemployment rates remain relatively strong, voters say rising food and fuel costs are what they notice most — and what they can least afford to ignore.
Republican strategists appear to understand the problem: abstract macroeconomic claims are not convincing families facing higher bills. "It’s hard to tell people what they feel is wrong," said Mike DuHaime, a former political director for the Republican National Committee. "Whether or not the stock market goes up or not doesn’t matter if I can’t afford groceries."
The economic message is also shaping competitive races in traditionally red states such as Texas, Iowa, Alaska and Ohio, where Democrats are leading in recent polls. Some GOP candidates, including Senate hopefuls Ashley Hinson and Mike Rogers, have started to edge away from Trump’s trade and foreign-policy positions, calling for an end to the Iran conflict and tariff disputes.
Vice President JD Vance has taken a slightly more cautious approach, urging voters to give the administration another chance while acknowledging the hardships people are living through. Former Trump deputy press secretary Harrison Fields said Vance’s tone reflects a strategy of admitting weaknesses while still promoting tax cuts and deregulation as achievements.
Trump’s campaign continues to push direct financial promises, including a $5,000 payment to every adult American if Republicans keep control of Congress and rebates for health-care costs. Critics on both sides have called the proposals a form of voter bribery, but the president insists the policies are proof of broader prosperity.
"I’ve done a very bad job of explaining how good the country is doing. We’re doing better than any country in the world economically," Trump said at a September event.
The clash between Trump’s upbeat narrative and the public’s deep anxiety over inflation and prices highlights a major political vulnerability for the GOP as the November midterm elections draw near.