Donald Trump once pulled off an unlikely political transformation. Despite being a billionaire who traveled on a personal jet and lived in a luxury tower in New York while spending winters at his Florida estate, he managed to present himself as the champion of working Americans. Yet the economic appeal that fueled his rise is now starting to erode, creating new political challenges. Trump policies were once sold as a lifeline for struggling workers, but that image is fading fast. As he continues to showcase his lavish lifestyle and invests time in personal legacy projects such as a new White House ballroom, the contrast with his promises to make life more affordable has become increasingly stark. Many voters who helped him reshape the Republican Party into a blue collar force now feel the economic ground shifting beneath them. The prosperity Trump vowed to deliver in 2024 still has not materialized. Polls reveal deep public pessimism about both the current economy and the future. Still, Trump insists the nation is thriving. In a recent Fox News interview, he declared that the United States had the greatest economy in history and bristled at questions about rising food and housing costs. This disconnect arrives at a damaging moment.
Decline of Trump’s Economic Influence and What It Means Now
His approval ratings are falling. The Epstein controversy has resurfaced. And concerns about affordability have become central in national politics, especially after Democrats won key governor races by focusing on pocketbook issues. To avoid entering lame duck territory, Trump urgently needs to regain his connection with economically stressed voters. If he fails, Republicans could face major trouble in the next midterm elections. Trump policies originally gained traction because he tapped into resentment in industrial communities left behind by globalization. His supporters embraced him as a successful outsider who understood their frustration. The image of a bold dealmaker forged on television boosted his credibility, even if his real business record was far more complicated. During the 2024 campaign he revived those memories with symbolic gestures like working at a McDonald’s counter. And to be fair, Trump policies have not ignored cost of living issues entirely. His sweeping tariffs were billed as a way to revive American manufacturing. The White House has claimed that tax cuts, deregulation and new spending reductions would put more money in Americans’ pockets. A new drug price portal is also expected next year.
But mounting evidence shows many Trump policies are worsening affordability. Tariffs have increased prices for consumers and forced the administration to promise large bailouts to farmers hurt by trade battles. His proposal for two thousand dollar payments funded by tariff revenue risks fueling inflation. This comes as many Americans are already cutting expenses and worrying about the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs. Recently the White House signaled tariff relief on some goods such as coffee, but Trump helped create these price spikes by targeting major exporters for political reasons. Meanwhile he has dismissed economic polling and claimed inflation does not exist, despite a three percent rate that continues to raise prices even as growth slows. Advisers acknowledge the growing vulnerability and are considering more economy focused speeches. But Trump has historically struggled with scripted messages and may revert to rallies which offer him a better read on supporters. Whether that will be enough remains uncertain. If economic conditions worsen, Trump policies and Republican fortunes could take a serious hit in the coming election cycle.
source:CCN
