From a new poll conducted by Politico to warnings from conservative Republican political operative Karl Rove, an alarm is being sounded by several media outlets about the state of the U.S. economy and the possible outcome of the upcoming midterm elections.
A new Politico Poll shows that the rising cost of living—especially gas prices driven by the Iran war and the closed Strait of Hormuz—is the top concern for voters, including many who supported President Trump in 2024. These voters increasingly view inflation and household expenses as Trump’s biggest failure of his second term, even as they credit him most on immigration—an issue that ranks far lower in national priority.
An article in Fortune describes how President Trump’s ‘golden age’ economic message is failing to resonate with voters ahead of the midterms. Despite strong employment and consumer spending, inflation has climbed above 3% and gas prices have surged past $4 a gallon due to the war with Iran and the resulting energy shock. Polls show voters are focused on affordability and increasingly dissatisfied with Trump’s handling of inflation, creating political headwinds for Republicans. Some in Trump’s circle want him to offer new economic proposals rather than rely on past achievements, while concerns grow that tariffs and policy uncertainty are worsening cost of living pressures.
Longtime GOP strategist Karl Rove is urging President Trump to stop ‘gaslighting’ Americans about the economy, arguing that voters clearly feel the pain of high prices and won’t be persuaded otherwise, as reported by WJTV-12 News. Rove—who advised Trump’s 2020 campaign—warns that dismissing economic concerns is politically damaging and that Republicans must acknowledge inflation and offer credible solutions. He also criticizes Trump’s messaging on gas prices and the broader cost of living crisis, saying voters are frustrated and want honesty rather than spin.
