Ex-Republican launches hundreds of billboards attacking Trump economy

Hundreds of billboards across three states are popping up by the group Home of the Brave.

The group is part of an ongoing effort by former Republican Sarah Longwell, who continues to talk about the economy as the top issue to voters in 2026,

After a few billboards proved to be successful, the group is expanding to three states. There are now 350 billboards across Michigan, Ohio and Iowa.

The campaign began over the summer, which was called "Sticker Shock Summer." The first buy was $1.25 million and this new buy includes an additional $1 million. The ads blame President Donald Trump and Republicans for rising costs.

Each of the billboards features a photo of Trump saying things like, "Higher grocery prices," "Tariffs supported by Republicans" and simply "Gas prices," which the group links to the Iran war.

Semafor reported on Tuesday that the billboards play up the economic message being promoted by disaffected GOP strategists.

“Job number one is winning back Congress. Once we do that, we can start finally holding this administration accountable,” said Home of the Brave advisory board member Sarah Longwell.

The billboards are only part of the “Sticker Shock Summer” campaign. The group launched it as a $15 million education-and-mobilization effort, later adding more than 300 billboards across 16 states, including Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Kansas, and Wisconsin.

A whopping 84 percent of Americans see the economy as their top issue. The affordability crisis is especially acute because voters increasingly blame Trump’s own policies, not outsiders, for persistent inflation.

In a recent AP-NORC poll, only 17 percent approved of his handling of the cost of living, while 65 percent said his policies, not factors beyond his control, were more responsible for high prices.

That anger is bleeding into the Republican coalition. Pew found that the share of Republicans who say Trump’s policies have improved the economy fell from 57 percent in January to 39 percent by early October. Meanwhile, concern over gas and energy prices reached 65 percent among Republicans.

Trump has told his supporters, "I'm on the ballot," and Longwell's group is playing into that campaign strategy from the president. The challenge for Republican candidates is twofold: they must defend an unpopular economic record while persuading an angry, struggling voter base to turn out. With inflation, grocery bills, and fuel prices dominating the campaign, Trump’s economic standing is narrowing Republicans’ path to holding Congress. And Longwell is eagerly playing into it.