President Donald Trump has shifted his focus towards economic issues as recent polling indicates that affordability and inflation are top concerns among voters. While visiting Pennsylvania to address these pressing topics, Trump emphasized his administration’s commitment to tackling the financial challenges Americans face. According to the latest Harvard CAPS Harris poll, 36 percent of respondents identified price increases and inflation as the most important issues, while 29 percent cited the economy and jobs.
The combination of these two economic concerns clearly highlights their prominence in voters’ minds. Following these issues, other topics such as health care, immigration, and crime ranked lower in importance. Issues like foreign policy and political correctness barely registered, with less than 5 percent of respondents mentioning them.
Trump’s renewed focus on the economy comes at a crucial time as the 2026 midterm elections approach. Many voters, including some of his supporters, feel that the president has diverted too much attention towards foreign policy matters. The sentiment among constituents appears to be that Trump needs to address the economic struggles that have become increasingly relevant to their daily lives.
In his remarks, Trump attributed the current economic challenges to the previous administration, particularly the inflation rates experienced during Joe Biden‘s presidency. Under Biden, inflation peaked at 9.1 percent, the highest in a generation, creating a financial strain on many households. “We’re bringing prices way down,” Trump stated during a recent event. “You can call it ‘affordability’ or anything you want — but the Democrats caused the affordability problem, and we’re the ones that are fixing it.”
Despite the reduction in inflation to around 3 percent, prices continue to rise, leaving many voters frustrated. The challenge for Trump lies in navigating this complex situation, where the perception of economic recovery does not always align with the reality of rising costs.
As former economic adviser Larry Kudlow pointed out, wage growth is essential for improving the economic landscape. According to Kudlow, wage income has increased by 5.3 percent, while the core personal consumption deflator, a measure of inflation, sits at 2.7 percent. “That means working folks’ take-home pay is now ahead of prices by 2.6 percent,” said Kudlow, highlighting the importance of increasing wages in conjunction with managing inflation.
While Trump has made strides in wage growth, it will take time for wages to fully catch up with the lingering effects of Biden-era inflation. Additionally, Trump’s tariffs have led to some price increases, albeit not as severely as initially predicted. As the midterm elections draw closer, Trump will rely on the economic improvements that Kudlow anticipates to resonate with voters.
The core of Trump’s economic strategy remains straightforward: reduce taxes, cut regulations, and lower energy costs. In a recent interview with Politico, Trump reiterated the significance of energy prices in his plans to control inflation. “Energy has come down incredibly,” he noted. “When energy comes down, everything … because it’s so much bigger than any other subject.”
With a keen awareness of voter concerns, Trump is preparing for the upcoming electoral cycle with a renewed emphasis on affordability. While the president must still address a myriad of other issues, his focus on economic matters aligns with the priorities expressed by voters, reinforcing the connection between his policies and public sentiment as the election approaches.
