Everyday Americans are venting about unaffordable healthcare and rising gas prices, a mood that looks bad for Republicans heading into the midterms.

• Viral clips show patients hit with huge medical bills after insurers denied coverage, including a heart attack patient billed over $100,000 and a newborn denied NICU coverage.
• Drivers say gas prices have roughly doubled compared to a couple years ago, fueling anger at the Trump administration over affordability.
• Critics note Mexico and Canada are moving toward universal healthcare while the US system leaves people bankrupt, and point out the US military already offers free healthcare, housing, and retirement to recruits — benefits denied to civilians.
• Trump and allies are already raising doubts about midterm election integrity, a tactic critics say mirrors his repeatedly rejected 2020 election fraud claims.
• Meanwhile Trump-world political theater continues, including talk of Nicki Minaj as a possible press secretary and claims that protesters disrupting his events are paid agitators.

Outlook: Expect affordability and healthcare costs to stay a major flashpoint through the midterms, with Trump allies leaning on election-fraud claims if results go against them.