BBC reporting says President Donald Trump is selling a strong economy in the final stretch to the 3 November midterms while many Republican candidates emphasize affordability and distance themselves from parts of his agenda.
Polls say costs hurt; Trump says it’s a PR issue
According to the BBC, Trump said last week: “We have the best economic numbers of any president in the history of our country,” adding that the press won’t talk about it. He has described concerns about affordability as “fake” and a Democrat-inspired “hoax,” and, in Texas, said: “The only thing we’re doing badly at is public relations… we’re doing a phenomenal job.”
The BBC cites economic indicators and polling that point the other way: inflation at 3.4% outpacing wages; average petrol at $4.37 a gallon; beef at a record high. A YouGov survey found 63% say the economy is “getting worse.” An AP/NORC poll reported 17% approval of Trump’s handling of cost-of-living issues and 26% on the economy overall. The BBC also notes polls suggesting tariffs, aggressive immigration enforcement, and the ongoing conflict with Iran are widely unpopular.
On the trail: affordability first
In Florida, Congressman Byron Donalds—running for governor with Trump’s encouragement and endorsement—acknowledged rising costs at a Hispanic church in Kissimmee. “We’re the best state in America,” he said, before adding: “But success has gotten expensive.” The BBC reports he did not mention Trump in his stump speech and leaned on personal stories of financial hardship, including waiting tables at Cracker Barrel.
Audience questions touched hot-button cultural topics, the BBC says, but supporters also pressed on housing costs—insurance, taxes, mortgage rates, and fees—and on healthcare worker shortages. Bryan Avila, Donalds’ running mate for lieutenant governor, took questions on energy prices and data-center construction at a Tampa seafood market event. “Everything is going up in prices, from food to even books for people going to college,” John Carroll, a Florida county housing commission member, told the BBC. “It’s a challenge no matter which party is in power, but here in Florida it’s been Republican for so long.”
SourceDonalds denies “dropping” Trump
Media reports claimed Donalds had removed prominent Trump mentions from his website; Donalds denied it, per the BBC. Trump posted on Truth Social: “Another Fake Story is that… Byron Donalds is taking me off his website and campaign materials.” He added that if Floridians believed Donalds had “dropped” him, Donalds would lose, while calling Donalds “a fantastic governor,” according to the BBC.
Asked about high prices, Donalds told reporters: “That’s not even about President Trump… I’m the one asking for the votes for the people of Florida to be their governor,” the BBC reports.
Stakes the BBC outlines
The BBC says Republicans have controlled the White House and both chambers of Congress for the past two years, complicating efforts to deflect blame. It also reports Trump has alternated between telling voters to treat the midterms as if his name is “on the ballot” and saying he doesn’t care about them. In August, he said: “A lot of them are very angry at Republicans… but they’re not angry at me,” according to the BBC. The outlet adds that if Republicans lose ground, Trump could face a hostile Congress with legislative and oversight powers for the last two years of his presidency.
All details above are drawn from BBC reporting; quotes are attributed in-text. Human editorial review required before publication.
