Trump seeks affordability wins down midterm homestretch 

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The Hill's Headlines (PM) - September 1, 2026

The Hill's Headlines (PM) - September 1, 2026

President Trump is taking every available avenue in his effort to appeal to voters on affordability as frustrations over high prices and economic uncertainty show no signs of subsiding nine weeks out from the midterms. 

Trump met with oil and gas retailers and refineries at the White House as oil prices jumped again amid the latest strikes in the U.S. war in Iran. The meeting came after Trump announced an oil deal with Venezuela last week, which he also said would lower energy prices. 

The president has amplified his efforts to lower drug prices this week, announcing new Medicaid pricing agreements with nine midsize biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies on Monday.

And in a recognition of consumer frustration at the grocery store, Trump has pressed ahead with a temporary pause on beef import tariffs despite fierce backlash from cattle ranchers and their GOP allies in Congress.

The efforts come as numerous polls show Trump’s approval rating declining, which could impact Republicans running up and down the ballot in November. 

Seventy-one percent of Americans, including 40 percent of Republicans, said they disapprove of how Trump is handling the cost of living, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday. 

“Once you’ve reached Labor Day, the narrative is pretty well set in, but does that mean there’s not anything else you can do? You’ve seen him address beef prices and reduce tariffs,” said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s legislative director in his first term and as chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence.

Democrats have argued that Trump rolling back tariffs in an effort to lower costs for consumers is a clear admission that tariffs were increasing prices for Americans in the first place, which Trump and........

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