Donald Trump has signaled a significant strategic shift for the 2026 midterm elections, stating that the contests will primarily “revolve around pricing.” This declaration marks a notable departure from his earlier stance, where he repeatedly dismissed concerns about affordability as a “hoax” perpetuated by Democrats. The former president’s pivot indicates a clear recognition of the economic challenges facing American voters.

During a recent interview with Politico, Mr. Trump expressed strong confidence in his economic agenda, asserting that voters would embrace his approach. He claimed responsibility for observed declines in key costs, telling the outlet, “I think it’s going to be about the success of our country. It’ll be about pricing. Because, you know, they gave us high pricing, and we’re bringing it down. Energy’s way down. Gasoline is way down.”

This renewed emphasis on the cost of living follows a series of electoral victories for Democrats earlier this year, many of whom successfully campaigned on addressing economic anxieties. Recognizing the potency of these issues, Mr. Trump has recently intensified his focus on economic matters, including campaign appearances to highlight his proposed solutions and assuage voter concerns.

However, this current messaging stands in stark contrast to his remarks from just months prior. In a December 9 speech in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, Mr. Trump publicly downplayed worries about rising costs. He stated, “They have a new word. You know, they always have a hoax. The new word is affordability,” directly attributing high prices to Democrats while claiming they were now receding.

Further illustrating this previous position, Mr. Trump also advocated for austerity measures during that period, suggesting that American children should be content with “one or two” pencils and “two or three” dolls. These comments underscored a dismissive attitude towards economic struggles, which now appears to have been replaced by a more direct engagement with the issue of consumer costs.

Mr. Trump’s recent comments also come amidst a backdrop of mixed economic signals. A day prior to his Politico interview, he gave the U.S. economy an “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus” rating, expressing supreme satisfaction with its performance. He pointed to recent reports indicating positive trends, such as declining inflation and robust growth.

Specifically, government data published in November showed inflation falling to 2.7 percent year-over-year, marking the smallest increase recorded since July, according to the Labor Department’s consumer price index report. Furthermore, the economy expanded at an annual rate of 4.3 percent, representing its fastest growth in two years, figures Mr. Trump eagerly highlighted as evidence of success.

Despite these positive indicators, other economic metrics paint a less favorable picture for many Americans. Between January and November, corporate bankruptcies surged to a 15-year high, with numerous companies reportedly struggling to navigate market conditions, including the lasting effects of previous trade disputes initiated during Mr. Trump’s administration.

Public sentiment also reveals a significant disconnect from Mr. Trump’s optimistic assessment. Recent polls consistently show that a majority of Americans, including a notable portion of his own voter base, feel financially strained by the current economic climate. This widespread perception underscores the challenge for any political figure seeking to claim economic success.

A Politico survey conducted in November further highlighted these concerns, with 46 percent of respondents indicating that the current cost of living was the worst they could remember. This figure included 37 percent of Trump 2024 voters and 53 percent of voters who supported former Vice President Kamala Harris. Nearly half reported difficulty affording essentials like groceries, healthcare, and housing, while over a quarter admitted to skipping medical appointments in the past two years due to high costs.

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Keywords: Trump midterms, US economy, affordability hoax, economic agenda, consumer pricing, inflation rates, corporate bankruptcies, voter sentiment