With one month remaining before the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, rising food, fuel and household prices have become a central issue in the Trump midterm election debate. A new CBS News poll found that voters are judging the economy largely by the cost of everyday goods.
President Donald Trump has been campaigning in Republican-leaning states as control of Congress remains at stake and early voting gets under way. On CBS’s Face the Nation on October 4, Trump said his administration was “doing a phenomenal job,” while acknowledging it might be “doing a bad job in selling it.”
Key Highlights
- Nine in 10 voters in CBS’s poll said prices shape how they evaluate the economy.
- Seven in 10 said Trump’s policies are contributing to higher food and grocery prices.
- Nine in 10 said the Iran conflict is making U.S. gas and oil prices higher.
- CBS’s Battleground Tracker estimated a 229–206 Democratic advantage in the House if the election were held at the time of the poll.
- The White House announced a one-time $90 Medicare Part B rebate for eligible beneficiaries.
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he expects gasoline and diesel prices to keep falling, while acknowledging there are no guarantees during the Iran conflict.
Prices Emerge as a Key Issue in the Trump Midterm Election
The latest CBS polling suggests affordability could play a significant role in how voters assess the economy before the November midterms. Nine in 10 respondents said prices are the main way they judge the economy, while seven in 10 said they believe Trump’s policies are making food and grocery costs rise.
Nine in 10 also said the conflict with Iran is making U.S. gas and oil prices either somewhat or significantly higher. The findings put pressure on the administration to show that its economic policies can ease costs for households. The figures and Trump’s comments were reported during CBS’s October 4 broadcast of Face the Nation.
CBS Tracker Gives Democrats a House Edge
CBS’s Battleground Tracker estimated that Democrats would win 229 seats and Republicans 206 if the election were held at the time of the poll. The model points to a potential Democratic House majority, but it is a snapshot of the current electoral environment rather than a prediction of the final result.
CBS elections and surveys director Anthony Salvanto said the Democratic edge was linked partly to voters who said they were being hit hard by higher prices. He also pointed to a turnout concern among some Republican voters dissatisfied with the administration’s handling of prices: CBS found they might stay home rather than switch their support to Democrats.
Trump Acknowledges a Messaging Problem
Trump has continued to defend his administration’s economic record. In a clip aired on Face the Nation, he said the administration was “doing a phenomenal job” but suggested it might be “doing a bad job in selling it.” Republicans are seeking to retain control of Congress, while Democrats are focusing their campaign message on the cost of living.
White House Announces $90 Medicare Part B Rebate
The White House announced a one-time $90 payment for more than 20 million eligible Medicare beneficiaries to help offset Part B premiums. The administration said the payment would be drawn from the Medicare Improvement Fund and delivered by direct deposit or cheque during October.
CMS says eligible beneficiaries will receive one $90 rebate in October 2026, with most direct deposits expected on or around October 8. The rebate is for eligible people enrolled in Original Medicare Part B who live in the United States and are not receiving premium assistance through Medicaid or paying an income-related monthly adjustment amount. People enrolled in Medicare Advantage are not eligible. Details are available in the CMS rebate FAQ and the White House fact sheet.
Energy Secretary Forecasts Lower Fuel Prices
Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Face the Nation that he expects gasoline and diesel prices to continue declining before Election Day. He cited rising fuel supplies, record-high U.S. gasoline production and the seasonal drop in gasoline demand after summer.
Wright acknowledged, however, that there are no guarantees during a conflict. Any disruption to energy infrastructure or global oil flows could affect prices, leaving the administration balancing its promise of lower fuel costs against uncertainty in the Middle East.
Democrats Emphasise Cost of Living
Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona said on the CBS programme that Americans remain frustrated by the cost of living. He criticised Trump’s economic policies and said Democrats would focus on lowering costs if they regain control of Congress. His remarks reflect the party’s campaign argument rather than an independent assessment of the economy.
The two parties are offering competing messages ahead of Election Day: Republicans are defending the administration’s record, while Democrats are highlighting the prices households face at grocery stores and gas stations. CBS’s poll suggests voters are paying particular attention to those costs, but the House model and the election outcome could change as turnout and economic conditions develop.
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