Seventy percent of voters told CBS News pollsters that President Donald Trump's policies are pushing prices up. Only 20% said the current economy was Joe Biden's doing; 56% pointed to Trump's policies. Those numbers framed a weekend in which the president campaigned in Alabama and Ohio, states Republicans had expected to hold, and urged Deep South voters to "pretend I'm on the ballot."
Trump described an unprecedented "golden age" that he says he created. He promised "unbelievable progress" and "new levels of greatness." He also said "nobody's selling" the claim that "there's no economy like this economy." In Ohio, which he won by 11 points in 2024, the Senate race was too close to call.
Prices, Paychecks and Payments
The White House announced a $90 payment for around 20 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part B. Last month, Trump promised every American adult $5,000 if Republicans win the midterms. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation," called the promised payments "trying to buy votes." He added: "People can't afford their lives."
Other polls point the same way. An AP/NORC survey found 69% of adults said Trump's handling of the cost of living was worse than expected. Sixty-five percent said the president's policies were behind high prices, and more than half said the national economy and the United States overall were worse off since he returned to the White House. Quinnipiac University found 62% opposed his handling of the economy. Decision Desk HQ's polling average put his approval at 38.5% on Sunday morning, and CNN reported his ratings in the 30s.
The Iran war has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil-industry waterway. AAA said U.S. gasoline has consistently averaged more than $4 a gallon during the war. Regular gas averaged $4.37 on Sunday morning. Few signs suggested fuel costs would fall before the November 2 election. Republicans also face questions over tariffs.
The Administration's Response
Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" that reports of deep economic pessimism were a "classic Democrat move." He blamed high grocery and food prices on Biden. He called Friday's government report of 29,000 jobs created in September an outlier. 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," he said.
Even some Republicans acknowledge the strain. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana called the cost of living the biggest election issue. "The American people, both sides, feel anger," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "If they don't feel anger, they feel deep melancholy."
A Shifting Map
New York Times/Siena polls published Saturday showed Democrats leading in Republican-held Senate contests in Alaska and Texas. There was no clear leader in Ohio, Kansas and Iowa. Trump's approval on the economy was at or below 40% in each of those states, and roughly half of surveyed voters wanted a candidate who would check him. A GOP super PAC paused spending Friday on a North Carolina seat where Michael Whatley trailed in polls. Michigan and Maine also looked tight.
An NBC/Telemundo poll released Sunday found Latino voters favored Democrats winning Congress by 24 points. Twenty-seven percent approved of Trump's job performance, and 20% approved of his handling of the cost of living. Trump made gains across Latino communities in 2024, but 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. Trump said pollsters understate MAGA support. The report noted that sentiment could change and key races could tighten.
Democrats hold 214 House seats to Republicans' 219, including one independent who caucuses with the majority. They need a net gain of four seats for the Senate. Majorities in both chambers would likely be used to investigate the White House and Trump family finances.
Why This Matters:
The polling shows a gap between the White House's account of the economy and what many households report. Majorities in several surveys tie high prices to the president's policies, and gasoline above $4 a gallon hits lower- and middle-income families hardest. One-time payments, like the $90 Medicare Part B payment and the promised $5,000, don't change the underlying costs those families face. The outcome on November 2 could also decide whether Congress investigates the White House and Trump family finances. It could shape a Supreme Court fight too, since Justice Samuel Alito told CBS News he now considers retirement every term. Those stakes put oversight and accountability on the ballot alongside the price of groceries and gas.