Political consultant on how the cost-of-living is affecting Trump’s approval rating : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-09-02 03:41:00 — www.npr.org
Trump Faces Voter Backlash Over High Prices and Iran War, Dismisses Polls as “Demoralization Operations”
As the midterm elections approach, Donald Trump is facing mounting criticism from voters who directly connect him to rising prices and the ongoing war in Iran. According to political strategist Sarah Longwell, voters—including many in Trump’s own base—are holding him responsible for two key issues: the tariffs he instituted and his unilateral decision to engage in the Iran conflict without seeking congressional approval or public support.
Longwell notes that voters see these actions as Trump’s personal initiatives, making it impossible for him to shift blame to Joe Biden. “Trump owns both those things, and both of those issues are things voters connect directly to higher prices,” she explains. In focus groups, even Trump supporters express frustration with the current state of the country, frequently citing expensive gas and the war in Iran as major concerns.
Despite this discontent, Trump continues to dismiss unfavorable polling, labeling them as “demoralization operations.” While he has previously outperformed poll predictions, Longwell argues that his historically low approval rating is now a significant liability for Republican candidates in the 2026 elections.
The fallout from Trump’s decisions is also affecting down-ballot races. His involvement in nominating controversial candidates and targeting political rivals has led to competitive races in states like Texas, Iowa, and Ohio—places that analysts previously considered safe for Republicans.
Voters’ frustration with Trump’s leadership and the lack of a clear Republican agenda has led to what Longwell describes as an “enthusiasm gap,” with Democrats highly motivated to vote and Republicans increasingly demotivated.
In summary, Trump’s record on tariffs and the Iran war, along with his dismissive stance toward polling, is fueling voter dissatisfaction and reshaping the political landscape ahead of the midterms. The consequences of these actions are being felt not only by Trump but also by Republican candidates across the country.