Anna Lefkowitz / MS NOW; Andrew Harnik / Getty Images
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At 8:30 a.m. last Friday morning, President Donald Trump’s best chance at good economic news before the midterm elections went poof.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the consumer price index rose in August by 0.4% and 3.4% over the past year. The “core CPI” (the less volatile measure that removes food and energy prices) rose 0.3% for the month and 2.4% annually. For the fifth month in a row, inflation-adjusted wages fell on a yearly basis.
Were this September 2025, the BLS report would be disappointing for the White House but hardly catastrophic. Inflation isn’t accelerating, and it remains well below its peak back in 2022. There were even some bright spots: Grocery prices were flat for the second straight month, for instance.
But this is September 2026, and the president and his party are out of time.
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Carson Elm-Picard / MS NOW; Fabrice Coffrini / AFP via Getty Images; America PAC
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It’s ugly and hateful, but Musk’s efforts, and those of other Republicans who are sending the same message, will probably fail, argues Paul Waldman.
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Democrats are nodding at the president's alleged corruption. But they're also talking about “corruption” in a much broader, more bipartisan way. Read more from Kevin Frey.
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Carson Elm-Picard / MS NOW; Photos courtesy of the candidate’s campaign
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Partisan power plays and bitter divides over the nation’s future are animating the drive to decide what the final two years of Donald Trump’s presidency will be like. Read more from Hunter Woodall.
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This week on “The Best People,” Nicolle Wallace is joined by former "Good Morning America" anchor Dan Harris to discuss the lessons he learned on his journey of self-regulation, and to share advice amidst this anxious moment in our country. Subscribe to MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts for early access, ad-free listening, and bonus content.
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Become an MS NOW Member and unlock exclusive insights, live conversations with your favorite hosts and a community who cares about our democracy as much as you do. Now through Sept. 30, you can enjoy a special introductory offer of 50% off an Annual Membership (terms apply). Sign up today.
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