Republicans are growing increasingly concerned that President Donald Trump’s inability to control inflation could seriously hurt the party in next year’s midterm elections.
Party insiders and lawmakers said that unless Trump can lower the rising costs of essential goods like food and prescription medications, or provide a clear plan showing that his broad tariff policies will not worsen prices, the GOP may struggle to keep control of Congress in November.
The Republican Party currently holds a slim majority in the House of Representatives, making every advantage crucial to retaining the lower chamber. Historically, the party in the White House tends to lose seats during midterms, which increases pressure on Republicans to manage voter concerns effectively.
A Republican operative said, “We don’t want Democrats running ads about $8 Lucky Charms or grandma struggling to get her prescriptions because tariffs raised prices. Voters care a lot, and Republicans must focus more on addressing this issue.”
In almost every election cycle, the economy is the top priority for voters. Inflation and Trump’s tariff policies are expected to be central topics during the 2026 campaigns.
Polling conducted by the Republican firm GrayHouse shows that 25 percent of voters consider inflation the most important issue, which is more than twice the percentage of those who cite government corruption.
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Economic Concerns and Voter Trust
The current U.S. inflation rate stands at 2.7 percent, lower than during the Biden administration, but still above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. Republicans also worry that voters are losing confidence in Trump’s economic leadership, which has traditionally been considered a core strength of his presidency.
A late August survey by Economist/YouGov found that only 34 percent of voters approve of Trump’s handling of inflation, including 25 percent of his own 2024 supporters who now disapprove.
Republican pollster Robert Blizzard said, “The president’s approval ratings have remained strong on the economy, immigration, and foreign policy, but since taking office, his ratings on inflation have declined. This provides Democrats with an opening to challenge the president on his signature issue.”
North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, who will not run for re-election in 2026, warned that Republicans have just a few months to change the conversation around inflation or face “headwinds” in a cycle where losses are already expected.
White House Response
White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended Trump’s record in a statement, saying, “President Trump promised to end Joe Biden’s inflation crisis, and our supply-side policies have delivered results. Inflation is trending toward an annualized rate not seen in years, while prices of gas, eggs, and other household essentials have decreased.”
