Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
President Donald Trump recently urged Republicans to intensify their focus on his administration’s economic achievements following a disappointing election night for the GOP on November 5, 2025. Despite his call for a stronger economic message, Trump himself frequently diverts from fiscal topics, often meandering into various other subjects during public addresses.
Post-Election Reflection and Strategic Shift
In the aftermath of the recent Republican electoral setbacks, Trump convened with GOP senators at the White House, where he outlined several conclusions. He expressed belief that the party was losing the messaging battle over the ongoing government shutdown and that any election without him on the ballot would prove challenging for Republicans.
Crucially, Trump emphasized that his party was not adequately promoting the economic successes of his term, such as factory construction and job creation. “I tell Republicans, you want to win elections, you got to talk about these facts,” he stated at a financial conference in Miami, where he flew after his White House meeting.
Divergence from Economic Focus
Despite billing his Miami speech as a “major economic address” marking the one-year anniversary of his 2024 victory, Trump’s remarks frequently strayed from economic themes. Topics discussed included transgender weightlifters, a teleprompter malfunction at the United Nations, the renaming of Denali, and his experience working a McDonald’s drive-thru during his previous campaign.
The President also spent considerable time reflecting on his 2024 election win, which he referred to as the American people having “reclaimed our government.” This focus overshadowed discussion of the more recent 2025 election results, which proved significantly less favorable for the GOP.
Trump introduced a new political framing, asserting a choice between “communism and common sense.” He used the terms “communist” or “communism” 14 times in his speech, particularly in reference to New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, whom he named only once.
Economic Messaging and Public Perception
Trump’s push for a stronger economic message appears to acknowledge a potential erosion of the GOP’s traditional advantage on economic matters. He later told Fox News that Republicans need to counter the Democrats’ focus on “affordability,” which he claims they “make up.”
Winning Democratic candidates in states like New Jersey, Virginia, and New York successfully campaigned on the rising cost of living, attributing increased expenses for groceries and electricity to Trump’s policies. Administration officials have indicated that economic issues will be central to the President’s agenda ahead of critical midterm elections.
James Blair, Deputy White House Chief of Staff and political director for Trump’s 2024 campaign, affirmed the President’s commitment to economic issues. “The president is very keyed into what’s going on,” Blair told Politico, adding that Trump would be “very, very focused on prices and cost of living.”
Challenges to Consistent Economic Narrative
Despite stated intentions, economic matters have not consistently dominated Trump’s agenda in his first nine months. He has dedicated significant time to foreign affairs, brokering peace agreements, and overseeing White House renovations, including the demolition of the East Wing for a new ballroom and renovations to the Oval Office.
When discussing the economy, Trump has at times dismissed ongoing cost-of-living concerns, insisting there is no inflation when data suggests otherwise and claiming grocery prices are down when they are up. He has also maintained his travel and golf schedule during a government shutdown that has impacted airline travel and food stamp benefits.
Public opinion polls reflect widespread dissatisfaction with the current economic situation. A recent CNN survey indicated that 68% of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, with 72% describing the economy as in poor shape. The economy and cost of living were identified as the top issue by 47% of respondents, and 61% believe Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions.
Looking Ahead to Midterms
The extent to which Trump can consistently shift his economic messaging remains a key question. House Speaker Mike Johnson affirmed the GOP’s reliance on the President, stating that Trump is “fiercely committed to us winning” and has offered to campaign actively for the midterms. Johnson emphasized, “President Trump is on the ballot in 2026, and we’re looking forward to that contest.”
