With his approval ratings on the economy sagging and Republicans increasingly anxious about next year's midterm elections, President Donald Trump will travel to Pennsylvania today in an attempt to rewrite the political narrative on inflation — the issue that helped elect him but now threatens his party's control of Congress and his own political stature.
The visit, the first in a series of domestic trips White House officials say will focus on the economy, comes as Trump's messaging on the issue has failed to gain traction with voters. For months, he has blamed his predecessor, President Joe Biden, for inflation, boasted that his own economy is "the hottest" in the world and dismissed concerns about affordability as a "hoax," a "scam" and a "fake narrative." A year into his second term, polling suggests twice as many Americans now blame him for the economy's struggles than blame Biden.
The Pennsylvania trip signals an attempt at a recalibration, but it's unclear whether Trump can convince voters that relief is on the way in 2026 — or whether his party will pay a price in next year's midterms.
The choice of venue for Trump's speech underscores the challenge.
This is a preview of Akayla Gardner and Jake Traylor's latest article. Read the full article here.
