‘We are going in the wrong direction’: Republican convention dogged by the cost of living
Politics — 2026-09-09 18:25:00 — www.politico.com
Trump Predicts Oil Prices Will Drop—But Only After the Midterms, as GOP Faces Backlash Over Economic Policies
As Republicans gather in Dallas, President Donald Trump’s economic policies are under fire from within his own party, with many GOP lawmakers and strategists alarmed by the impact of his trade war with Canada and military actions against Iran. Trump told reporters Wednesday that oil prices are set to drop amid the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran—but not until after the midterms, a timeline that is much later than anxious Republicans would hope.
Mounting Economic Pressure
Republicans at the convention are grappling with a surge in oil prices, which hit $100 per barrel, and a deepening trade war with Canada that threatens key industries in the Midwest. Trump’s decision to import more foreign beef ahead of the midterms has also angered ranchers and farmers from Texas to Iowa. Senior Republicans are privately dismayed at the “pileup of Trump economic moves that have rattled voters and key industries in their states.”
Republicans Struggle to Shift Blame
While Trump’s White House and RNC spokespeople continue to blame Democrats for the affordability crisis, many Republicans acknowledge that Trump’s actions—especially the ongoing conflict with Iran—are driving up gas prices and everyday costs. Senator Rick Scott admitted, “We have higher gas prices now as a result of the president trying to keep us safe as a result of what Iran wants to do,” and described the situation as a “short-term problem” that Trump will address by “destroying the regime.”
Voters Hold Trump Responsible
Despite efforts to paint a rosier picture, a recent POLITICO poll shows that a 34% plurality of Americans hold Trump fully responsible for the state of the current U.S. economy, compared to just 17% who blame former President Joe Biden. Some Republicans are hoping Trump will use his convention keynote address to refocus the party’s economic messaging, but skepticism remains high. One GOP county chair bluntly predicted, “Maybe the president delivers a coherent speech that is clear, that is direct, that is policy oriented, that is forward-looking… Will he do that? Absolutely not.”
Conclusion
President Trump’s own statements and policies are at the center of Republican anxiety over rising costs and economic instability. As the party scrambles to reassure voters ahead of the midterms, Trump’s prediction that relief at the pump won’t come until after the election only adds to the pressure—and the political risk—for Republicans in battleground states.