Solid Gold Berjangka – Concerns regarding the economy and the high cost of living are beginning to cast a shadow over U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. During a campaign stop in Kansas to support Republican Senator Roger Marshall, issues such as energy prices, inflation, agriculture, and purchasing power emerged as major challenges—complicating the Republican Party’s efforts to retain control of Congress.
Kansas has long been a Republican stronghold, having not elected a Democratic senator in decades. However, the tight race between Marshall and Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton suggests that economic unease is taking hold, even in regions previously considered relatively safe for the Republican Party.
In his speech, Trump attempted to shift the focus toward unrest in France, warning that similar chaos could unfold in the U.S. should the Democrats gain power. Reuters reported, however, that Trump provided no evidence for this claim, while concerns over rising prices remained a far more pressing, everyday issue for voters.
This pressure is reflected in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, which places Trump’s approval rating at approximately 31%—the lowest recorded in the survey. The same poll indicates that dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy is a primary source of strain heading into the midterm elections.
The issue of inflation has become increasingly sensitive following a fresh rise in U.S. consumer prices in September. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbed 3.7% year-on-year, while a surge in gasoline prices has further strained households and reinforced the perception that the cost of living remains difficult to contain.
In Kansas, this pressure is directly evident in fuel prices. Near the campaign site, gasoline was nearing US$4 per gallon, while diesel prices were significantly higher—a situation felt acutely by rural communities that rely heavily on personal vehicles, agricultural machinery, and the transport of goods.
The farming community, a key pillar of the Republican Party’s base, has also become a point of concern. A number of farmers have voiced concerns regarding a combination of tariffs, fuel costs, and shifts in market access—factors they argue are squeezing their profit margins—leading to rural economic issues gaining greater prominence in the campaign.
The economic strain has even prompted the government to announce an aid package of approximately US$8 billion to help farmers offset rising diesel costs during the harvest season. This move underscores how high energy costs have evolved from a purely economic concern into a significant political issue ahead of the election.
This situation presents a complex challenge for Donald Trump’s campaign messaging. While topics such as immigration, security, and political conflict remain central to his speeches, for many voters, factors like fuel prices, food costs, interest rates, and household income serve as more direct benchmarks for assessing the state of the economy.
As the election draws near, the ability of Trump and the Republican Party to convince voters that price pressures can be brought under control will be a critical factor in maintaining support within conservative regions. The tight race in Kansas suggests that economic concerns are no longer limited to battleground states; they are now beginning to test the loyalty of voters in the Republican Party’s traditional strongholds.