Fox News host delivers brutal message to Republicans: 'Wake up!'

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during an event at The Villages Charter School at The Villages, Florida, U.S., May 1, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Fox News host Sandra Smith sees Republicans making huge mistakes as the November election nears.

As the economy continues to slump, Smith said that Republicans are "letting" Democrats "own" the conversation over the affordability crisis.

Speaking on Tuesday's "The Five," Smith explained that the only ones talking about the slumping economy are Democrats. Trump continues to call the affordability problem a "hoax" or say it was made up, telling supporters that the economy is doing well and the U.S. is in a "golden age."

"Trump handed, after his first term, [former President Joe] Biden gas prices at $2.39. He ran those prices up to a record $5 a gallon at the pump. Where were these people then? Now they want those policies back and more. Trump then handed off $2.81 a gallon. Biden handed off $3.10. Trump brought it back down in his second term to $2.80 cents a gallon. It’s back up near four, okay?"

Smith wants Republicans to talk about how much better things are under Trump now.

"For Republicans to not own the affordability problem that Americans are suffering right now is a problem. They need to acknowledge that that happened and that happened under the last presidency. But now we’ve got to own it," Smith claimed.

She explained that the candidates that have been successful on the Democratic side are because they're talking about these issues over things like Reflecting Pool vandalism or whether statues have a thick enough gold coating. Candidates in Wisconsin, Smith continued, are talking about raising the minimum wage, guaranteed paid income and a moratorium on data center construction.

"So these are the solutions [candidates are] offering at a very sensitive time for this affordability moment," said Smith. "But Republicans beware, don’t let them keep owning this affordability message when the numbers clearly show these prices ran upward at the last administration and the onus is on Republicans to get them back down come midterm elections."

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