The Guardian view on the Republicans’ midterms struggle: Trump has circuses, but voters also want bread | Editorial
As prices keep rising, more of the president’s supporters are asking what happened to the economic good times he promised It is no great revelation that Donald Trump is enriching himself as president. He raked in $2.2bn in 2025, with his position and his personal interests frequently overlapping. Yet this week’s poll finding that 34% of Republicans (and 66% of all American voters) think that he is using his position…
Key points
- A poll found 34% of Republicans and 66% of all voters think Trump is using his office to enrich himself.
- Trump's approval fell to a record low of 36% in a poll on Wednesday.
- With under two weeks to 3 November, polls suggest Democrats will take the House and could claim the Senate.
Donald Trump is campaigning in red states ahead of the 3 November midterms as his approval rating fell to a record low of 36% in a poll on Wednesday, according to The Guardian. The paper reports that a poll this week found 34% of Republicans and 66% of all American voters believe he is using his position to make himself rich.
The Guardian says Trump promised voters lower grocery costs and gasoline below $2 a gallon, but groceries have risen again and gas costs more than double that, which the paper attributes to his war on Iran. Tariffs have also raised the cost of living, it says.
Voter concerns and party fortunes
A Fox News poll last week put government corruption at the top of voters' concerns, just ahead of inflation and high prices, the article says. The Guardian reports that Democrats remain unpopular but are now more trusted on economic issues, with independents turning away from Trump and many Republicans unenthused.
The paper says impressive Democratic candidates are performing better than expected in places including Texas and Kansas. It notes that Republicans are massively outspending Democrats and that some polls are tightening.
Donald Trump did this to himself
— pollster Rich Baris
Attacks and closing argument
The Guardian says culture war attacks and claims about opponents such as James Talarico in Texas do not appear to be working as Republicans hoped. It adds that Republicans are pointing to unrest in France and warning that a Democrat-dominated Congress would bring chaos.
The paper describes Trump's approach as "bread-and-circuses politics" that is floundering as voters ask what happened to the bread.
