Trump's economic pitch clashes with GOP base as midterms near

Jul 28, 2026

Trump is telling voters the economy is the best ever, but Republicans are seeing their own base lose enthusiasm ahead of the midterms — bad news for the GOP.

  • Only about 1 in 5 Americans rate the economy as good, and nearly 3 in 5 say Trump is making them financially worse off.
  • Gas and grocery prices are the main pain points; a three-time Trump voter in Iowa called his votes "the worst mistakes of my life."
  • Grocery sales are shrinking as people buy fewer items, even with prices still rising — a sign shoppers are tapped out.
  • A Koch-linked group's door-knocking found 1 in 5 Republican voters may stay home or flip to Democrats, and Democrats lead by 10 points among those certain to vote.
  • New tariffs on generic drug imports could raise costs, undercutting Trump's claim of cutting drug prices.

Outlook: With prices still climbing and no economic turnaround in sight, Republicans look set to struggle in November's midterms.

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