Trump Defends US Economy as Cost of Living Dominates Midterm Campaign

US President Donald Trump is mounting a strong defence of his economic record as the November midterm elections approach, but rising living costs are forcing Republican candidates to confront growing voter frustration.

Trump has repeatedly highlighted what he describes as historically strong economic performance, arguing that positive indicators are being ignored by the media.

“We have the best economic numbers of any president in the history of our country,” he said recently.

But the picture is more complicated. While some economic indicators remain strong, Americans continue to face pressure from high prices, particularly for housing, food, energy and healthcare.

An AP-NORC poll found that only 26% of US adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, while just 17% approve of his handling of the cost of living. The survey also found that 65% blamed Trump’s policies for higher-than-usual prices.

Affordability Becomes a Republican Campaign Theme

The economic concerns are creating a difficult balancing act for Republican candidates seeking to defend their party’s record while acknowledging voters’ financial pressures.

In Florida, Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who is running for governor with Trump’s endorsement, has made affordability a central part of his campaign.

At a campaign event in Kissimmee, Donalds acknowledged that while Florida remains economically successful, “success has gotten expensive”.

He highlighted the struggles of retirees, teachers, emergency workers, restaurant employees and public-sector workers, saying they need to be able to “make ends meet”.

Donalds has also launched an “affordability tour”, focusing on housing costs, insurance, taxes, mortgage rates and healthcare.

Housing and Insurance Pressure

Florida voters have raised concerns about the cost of housing and insurance, alongside shortages of healthcare workers.

Donalds has responded by drawing on his own background, recalling periods when he lived from one paycheque to another and worked at Cracker Barrel.

Similar messages are emerging from other Republican campaigns.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has promoted an “affordability agenda”, while Iowa Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, who is running for the Senate, has also made lowering costs a major campaign issue.

“Iowans are paying the price for Washington’s failures, and they deserve real relief that actually lowers costs,” Hinson said.

Republicans Also Face Pressure Over Iran

Economic concerns are not the only issue creating difficulties for Republicans.

The conflict involving Iran has become another point of tension, particularly as energy prices remain a concern.

Hinson has called for the conflict to end, while Republican Senate candidates in Ohio and Michigan have also expressed opposition to the war.

Two Republican members of Congress from Iowa also voted for a Democratic-backed measure seeking to limit Trump’s war powers relating to Iran.

Trump Defends Byron Donalds

Donalds has also faced questions over his relationship with Trump following reports that prominent references to the president had been removed from his campaign website.

Donalds denied the reports, while Trump publicly defended his ally on Truth Social, describing him as a close friend and reaffirming his endorsement.

But Donalds has stressed that his campaign is ultimately focused on Florida voters.

“That’s not even about President Trump,” he told reporters. “I’m the one asking for the votes for the people of Florida to be their governor.”

Economy Takes Centre Stage

Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress, making it difficult for candidates to completely separate themselves from Trump’s economic record.

At the same time, voters’ concerns over prices are pushing candidates to put affordability at the centre of their campaigns.

Trump continues to point to investment, manufacturing and other economic gains under his administration. On October 6, he travelled to Maryland to promote a $3.7 billion Anduril investment in submarine-component manufacturing, which the administration says will create thousands of jobs.

But for many voters, the immediate question remains whether their incomes can keep pace with the cost of everyday life.

With the midterms approaching on November 3, the tension between Trump’s optimistic economic message and voters’ concerns over affordability is becoming an increasingly important feature of the Republican campaign.

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