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President Trump will travel to Pennsylvania’s Poconos region on Tuesday to address inflation and economic concerns as the midterm election season begins. The visit to Mount Airy Casino Resort comes as Trump faces declining approval ratings and mounting economic challenges, despite his claims that Democrats are downplaying his progress on prices.
Trump’s approval rating has dropped significantly under Gallup’s measure, falling from 47% in January to 36% last month. Economic approval ratings have also declined, with only 36% of voters approving of his economic handling in November, down from 43% in July. The president inherited high inflation from the Biden administration, with consumer prices having peaked at 9% in 2022 before dropping to 3% on an annual basis.
To combat economic concerns, Trump has implemented several measures. He recently eased tariffs on coffee, bananas and other groceries, outlined plans to reduce beef costs, and promised larger tax refunds. He announced a $12 billion bailout package for farmers on Monday, including $11 billion from the Department of Agriculture’s Farmer Bridge Assistance program, aimed at helping growers facing high costs from inflation and trade wars.
The president points to reduced gasoline prices, lower mortgage rates and cheaper eggs as evidence of improvement. According to Gas Buddy statistics cited by the White House, gasoline prices have fallen below $3 per gallon in 37 states, with a median U.S. price of $2.79. Trump argues that when gasoline prices decrease, other costs follow.
During his Pennsylvania visit, Trump is expected to promote Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which extended his first-term tax cuts, increased tax deductions, eliminated taxes on tipped wages, and incentivized domestic manufacturing through tax deductions.
However, challenges remain significant. Workers are being laid off in high numbers, the manufacturing sector is shedding jobs, and concerns about job-replacing artificial intelligence are affecting recent college graduates. Democrats have gained momentum by campaigning on affordability, sweeping key races in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City during November’s off-year elections.
Democrats criticize Trump’s legislation as benefiting the wealthy while creating a health care affordability crisis through rollbacks of Obamacare and Medicaid benefits. They also argue that price pressures were self-inflicted when Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on trading partners. Small businesses have sued the administration, claiming tariffs usurped Congress’ taxing powers and hurt their bottom lines.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called Trump’s policies “outright cruelty,” while political experts suggest the president faces a difficult challenge convincing voters of economic progress amid expiring Obamacare subsidies and lingering tariff effects.
Read more: Trump hitting the road to gain upper hand on the affordability debate
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