'A downward trajectory': Republicans fearful as key Trump policy threatens midterms

The Daily Beast reports Republicans are increasingly worried that President Donald Trump’s failure to rein in inflation could severely damage the GOP in the upcoming midterms.

Calling upon information published by Axios, party insiders appear terrified that unless Trump curbs rising prices on food and prescription drugs, or presents a plan to ensure his unilateral tariffs won’t further drive up costs, the GOP will lose control of either the House, the Senate or both next November.

“We don’t want Democrats making campaign ads about $8 Lucky Charms and grandma unable to get her prescriptions because of tariff-driven shortages,” one Republican operative told Axios. “Voters care a ton, and Republicans need to talk more about fighting this.”

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The Beast reports the GOP holds a tiny majority in the House, and Trump is losing his strongest edge in public opinion, according to Republican firm GrayHouse.

Axios reports GrayHouse finding 25 percent of voters viewing inflation as the most pressing issue in the upcoming elections, which is double the public’s second highest concern: government corruption.

The Beast reports Republicans are concerned voters are losing faith in Trump’s handling of the economy, which has been considered one of his key strengths while in office. A late August Economist/YouGov survey found that only 34 percent of voters approved of Trump’s handling of inflation. This includes only 25 percent of his own 2024 supporters.

“The president's approval rating has been remarkably resilient on handling of the economy, immigration, and foreign policy, but since he took office, it continues a downward trajectory on handling inflation," Republican pollster Robert Blizzard told Axios, adding the “continued fatigue” is “providing an opening for Democrats.”

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Axios reports GOP strategists are now pushing Republican 2026 candidates to talk to constituents about inflation, claiming Trump's "big, beautiful bill," will ultimately lower consumer costs.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is not seeking reelection in 2026, but he told Axios that Republicans are quickly running out of time to show improvement on inflation before economic trends are set for the midterms.

“If we don't address some of [the economic issues], I think it will create headwinds going into a cycle where you already expect headwinds with a midterm after a presidential election and the change of party in the White House," Tillis said.

Also working against Republicans are other economic trends, including unemployment dread reaching Great Recession levels, according to CNN news and U.S. surveys. One University of Michigan survey reported 32 percent of respondents expecting unemployment to rise last November. But in August those fears jumped to 60 percent, which CNN Senior Reporter Matt Egan said is the highest expectation of unemployment since the administration of George W. Bush.

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Read the Daily Beast report at this link.