Donald Trump urged Alabama voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot” as Republicans faced competitive races in states they had expected to hold. The White House also announced a $90 payment for around 20 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part B. Trump has promised every American adult $5,000 if Republicans win the midterms. People facing high costs are hearing campaign promises; those in power are asking them to vote on those promises.
Campaign Promises, Household Costs
Trump described an unprecedented “golden age” that he says he created, promising “unbelievable progress” and “new levels of greatness.” In Ohio, where he won by 11 points in 2024, he said, “We’re going to win big, and we’re going to shove it up their ass.” The state’s Senate race remained too close to call.
On CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly said, “People can’t afford their lives,” and called Trump’s promised payments “trying to buy votes.” GOP Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana called the cost of living the biggest election issue. “We have to tell the American people the truth,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Kennedy added, “we (keep) telling them not to believe their own lying checkbooks.” Then came words harder to wave away: “The American people, both sides, feel anger. If they don’t feel anger, they feel deep melancholy.”
Polls put that anger in numbers. A CBS News poll found 70% of voters said Trump’s policies were pushing prices up; 56% attributed the current economy to his policies and 20% to Biden. An AP/NORC poll found 69% of adults said Trump’s handling of the cost of living was worse than expected. A Quinnipiac University poll found 62% opposed Trump’s handling of the economy. An Associated Press/NORC Research Center survey found 65% said the president’s policies were behind high prices, while more than half said the national economy and the United States overall were worse off since he returned to the White House.
The Cost of the Official Story
Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, called reports of deep economic pessimism a “classic Democrat move” on CNN’s “State of the Union.” He blamed high grocery and food prices on former President Joe Biden and dismissed the government report of 29,000 jobs created in September as an outlier. On The Hill, Hassett said, “I just don’t buy it,” arguing that if consumers weren’t spending, consumption data would show it. “But, in fact, the retailers are doing well.”
Gas-station figures tell a different story. AAA said U.S. gasoline had consistently averaged more than $4 a gallon during the Iran war, which closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil-industry waterway. Regular gas averaged $4.37 on Sunday morning. The report cited high gasoline and diesel prices as challenges for Republicans, with few signs fuel costs would fall before November 2.
Trump’s overall approval rating stood at 38.5% in a Decision Desk HQ polling average on Sunday morning; CNN reported his approval ratings in the 30s. Trump said “nobody’s selling” the claim that “there’s no economy like this economy.”
Seats, Polls and the Limits of the Ballot
New York Times/Siena polls published Saturday showed Democrats leading in contests for Republican-held Senate seats in Alaska and Texas, while no clear leader emerged in Ohio, Kansas and Iowa. Trump’s approval rating on the economy was at or below 40% in each state, and roughly half of surveyed voters wanted a candidate who would check Trump. A GOP super PAC paused spending Friday on a Republican-held North Carolina seat, where Michael Whatley trailed in polls.
Democrats are seeking majorities in both chambers, which they would likely use to investigate the White House and Trump family finances during the final years of his term. They need a few gains to retake the House, where they have 214 seats to Republicans’ 219, including one independent who caucuses with the majority. To win the Senate, Democrats need a net gain of four seats. That contest could lead to a Supreme Court nomination fight: conservative Justice Samuel Alito told CBS News he now considers retirement every term.
A new NBC/Telemundo poll found Latino voters favored Democrats winning Congress by 24 points; 27% approved of Trump’s overall job performance, and 20% approved of his handling of the cost of living. The White House’s deportation campaign faced a backlash. In Texas, Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico was raising hopes of the party’s first statewide victory there in more than 30 years. Polls measure the contest for office. Voters still face those costs.