As the U.S. faces rising prices for food, energy and insurance amid a government shutdown, many Americans are struggling to afford upcoming holiday expenses. Experts say the economic strain contradicts President Donald Trump’s claims of falling prices and an improving economy, with low- and middle-income households feeling the hardest hit.

Analysts warn that Trump’s trade and tariff policies could weaken his support among independent voters and potentially benefit Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections.

In order to persuade Trump's loyal MAGA camp to critically question the economy, the country would have to fall into a deep, prolonged recession, according to Christopher Faricy, associate professor of political science. In addition, there is a need for “more uniform reporting” in the media, which attributes the economic crisis to Trump's policies, he says.

Faricy also emphasizes that historically, the president's party loses seats in the midterm elections. “A worse economic situation would lead to a greater loss of seats,” he says. 

Read more in the Frankfurter Rundschau article, “Empty wallets ‘biggest weakness’: Trump could stumble over the US price shock.”