Trump Uncertain About Republican Prospects in Midterms
In an exclusive interview with The Wall Street Journal conducted last Friday in the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about whether the Republican Party will maintain control of the House of Representatives in the upcoming midterm elections.
Trump pointed to the delayed impact of his economic policies as a key factor clouding the political landscape. He emphasized his efforts to attract billion-dollar investments to the United States, asserting that these capital injections are poised to reshape the American economy. However, he candidly admitted that it’s difficult to predict how these changes will influence the Republican Party’s fortunes come next fall.
When asked whether he believes Republicans might lose their majority in Congress, Trump replied, “I can’t say that. I don’t know when all this money will come through,” suggesting that it could take until the second quarter of 2026 for tangible results to manifest.
While the economy has shown consistent growth since Trump took office in January, the benefits have not reached all Americans. Job growth remains sluggish, unemployment is on the rise, and escalating grocery prices are causing distress for millions.
Amidst these economic challenges, public sentiment toward Trump’s economic policies has soured since his return to the White House, despite the concerns about the economy that buoyed his election last year. In the interview, Trump asserted that he has already taken steps to lower prices.
“I think that when we talk about the election in a few months, our prices are in good shape,” he stated, placing the blame for inflation squarely on the Democrats. He acknowledged, however, that winning the midterm elections will require significant effort on the part of Republicans.
“I have created the best economy in history,” he asserted. “But it can take people a while to figure out all those things. All the money flowing into our country is building things right now—car factories, artificial intelligence, all sorts of things.”
Concluding his thoughts, Trump remarked, “I can’t tell you how it will affect the voters, because all I can do is do my job,” reflecting a resolute focus on his administration’s ongoing economic initiatives.
/ritzau/
