From gas prices to grocery bills: How Trump’s economic policies are giving Democrats a new midterm campaign weapon

Filling up one’s fuel tank, purchasing groceries and covering healthcare costs have become a defining issue in the US midterm elections of 2026. Democrats seek to use these expenses as grounds to criticise President Donald Trump and Republican politicians in Congress. The Democrats are claiming that the tariff policy, the war with Iran and government budget cuts under the president are making it difficult for American families.

According to a CNN analysis based on the AdImpact campaign advertising data, Democrats have invested heavily in linking Republican politicians to the policy decisions made by President Donald Trump.

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The midterm elections of November mean that Congress will determine the fate of Democrats’ hopes, which stem from voters’ dissatisfaction with increasing costs.

Why rising living costs threaten Trump and Republicans

Trump returned to the White House promising to improve Americans' economic circumstances. However, polling cited by CNN suggests many voters believe his administration has intensified the problems they wanted him to solve.

According to one WSJ poll, 60% of registered voters felt Trump’s policies had damaged the economy, while only 25% felt his policies had helped the economy. According to an AP-NORC poll, 67% felt the policies of Trump led to prices being higher than usual.

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According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll published on October 9, 2026, 78% of Americans also felt that Trump’s policies were partially or wholly to blame for rising costs of living. According to the survey results, the problem was not restricted to Democrats, since majorities of both Republicans and independents held this opinion.

Tariffs and the economic impact of the Iran war have become major factors of discussion in this issue. While tariffs may raise the cost of imported goods and materials, higher energy prices affect transportation, farming and households.

The problem for Republicans is that voters increasingly view these issues in connection with decisions of the administration and not as outside of its control.

Democrats turn Republican votes into campaign ammunition

Congressional votes have been emphasised in Democrats’ effort to show the Republicans’ involvement in increased costs.

In terms of CNN’s report using AdImpact data through September, Democrats have spent $53.2 million on advertisements related to tariffs while Republicans spent less than $1 million on this. Democrats have spent an additional $51.1 million on advertisements referring to Iran, while Republican ads referring to Iran totalled about $2.2 million.

Medicaid program is also becoming one of the major campaign issues. According to CNN, more than 600 Democratic advertisements related to Medicaid have been funded at $102 million in spending while Republican advertisements on this subject have been funded at $22 million.

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Democrats argue that congressional Republicans repeatedly supported Trump's tariff policies and the war while backing legislation that reduced federal spending on Medicaid and food assistance, extended tax cuts and increased immigration funding.

Candidates have carried that message into debates and campaign advertisements. In Iowa, Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek criticised Republican nominee Ashley Hinson over her support for tariffs and the Iran war, arguing that the policies had harmed the state.

The strategy relies on documented votes rather than promises about future behaviour. Democratic strategists believe this makes it harder for Republican incumbents to distance themselves from Trump's agenda when voters question its economic consequences.

Republicans try to shift attention before November

Republican candidates face a difficult balance: defending Trump's policies risks reinforcing concerns about affordability, while openly challenging him could alienate his political base.

Some have begun creating distance. Michigan Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers has called for an end to the Iran war and criticised the economic conflict with Canada. Hinson has also argued that Iowans should not have to bear the financial burden of the war through higher fuel and shopping costs.

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However, breaking with Trump carries risks of its own. The president has criticised Republicans who challenge his agenda, leaving candidates to weigh economic concerns against the possibility of losing support from his loyal voters.

Republicans have consequently emphasised immigration, border security and crime. CNN's AdImpact analysis found that Republican candidates spent $164 million on advertisements mentioning the border and $151 million on ads mentioning immigration through September.

Tax policy is another central message. Tax breaks for tips, overtime pay, and Social Security have been advocated by Republicans because these policies enable Americans to keep more of what they earn. The overall tactic here is that of making November's election about different agendas, not about Trump's performance.

This could work especially well in the red states where party affiliation still carries some weight.

In competitive races, however, persistent concerns about household expenses may prove harder to displace.

The Democrats believe that people will equate their struggles with the policies supported by the Republicans in Washington D.C., while the Republicans are hoping to convince voters that their agenda, especially the taxation one, and their standpoints should be given more consideration.

As the November 3 midterms are fast approaching, the key issue is how far the economic frustration will take the two parties to the extent that they would win control of Congress. Both parties see the campaign as all about who is to blame for the high cost of living.