Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Trump Says He Failed to Explain His Economic Record
Donald Trump said he has not explained his economic record well enough.
He believes the United States is doing better than ever.
Many voters and opinion polls do not share that view.
Gasoline and other energy prices have risen, putting pressure on families.
Consumer confidence fell sharply in September.
Housing prices and mortgage rates have also made life more expensive.
Trump is planning many campaign stops to help Republican candidates.
The elections will decide whether Republicans keep control of Congress.
Donald Trump said he had done a “very bad job” explaining what he called strong economic performance.
He made the remarks at a White House Hispanic Heritage Month event as he prepared a 32-day campaign tour.
Republicans are defending congressional seats ahead of the November 3 elections, with polls showing economic concerns hurting the party.
Consumer confidence fell to a nearly 12-and-a-half-year low in September, according to the Conference Board.
Trump blamed poor communication for voters’ concerns, while critics pointed to tariffs, energy prices, housing costs and labor-market worries.
- Who
- Donald Trump, Republican candidates and American voters.
- What
- Trump acknowledged that he had poorly communicated his economic record while campaigning for Republican candidates.
- When
- Trump spoke on Wednesday, September 30, ahead of the November 3 elections.
- Where
- At a Hispanic Heritage Month event at the White House; Trump also planned stops in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Ohio.
- Why
- Trump said he wanted to promote what he considers strong economic management and help Republicans retain control of Congress.
Trump’s Economic Defense
Voters’ Economic Concerns
Overall economic performance
Trump’s Economic Defense
Trump said the country is doing better than it has ever done and described his administration as running the country extremely well.
Voters’ Economic Concerns
Many voters have given Trump low marks for managing the economy, according to public opinion polls.
Reason for weak support
Trump’s Economic Defense
Trump said the main problem was that he and his allies had not effectively promoted or explained his economic record.
Voters’ Economic Concerns
The article says voters are reacting to economic pressures including high gasoline prices, tariff effects, rising energy costs, higher home prices and mortgage rates.
Election outlook
Trump’s Economic Defense
Trump urged supporters to vote and said Republicans must turn the situation around to retain congressional control.
Voters’ Economic Concerns
Republicans are spending millions defending seats once considered safe because economic dissatisfaction has made them competitive.
- Speaker
- Donald Trump
- Campaign duration
- 32 days
- Election date
- November 3
- Consumer confidence
- Fell to a nearly 12-and-a-half-year low in September
- Planned campaign stops
- Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama and Ohio
- Economic pressures cited
- Higher energy prices, mortgage rates, home prices and labor-market concerns
- Party at risk
- Republican Party