Trump’s speech Dec. 9 at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono comes as Republicans struggle with their response to affordability concerns.
ZAC ANDERSON , JOEY GARRISON USA TODAy
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WASHINGTON ‒ President Donald Trump is taking his economic message on the road as Democrats turn up the heat on the issue a year out from the 2026 midterm elections ‒ while some Republicans say he has taken his eye off the ball.
Trump’s speech Dec. 9 at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania comes as the White House and Republicans struggle with their response to affordability concerns of Americans. The working-class town sits in a swing congressional district and adjacent to another, in a battleground state that has could determine control of the House next year.
Democrats have overperformed in elections across the country as they run on a message of affordability ahead of the midterms. A poll from Politico last week found 46% of Americans ‒ including 37% of Trump voters ‒ believe the cost of living in the United States is the worst they can remember.
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Trump has continued to say costs are down, even though year-over-year inflation in 2025 is slightly up compared to 2024. The two-term Republican has also pointed to inflation that peaked under his predecessor, former President Joe Biden.
“We inherited a total mess from the Biden administration,” Trump said on Dec. 8 as he discussed a new $12 federal bailout for farmers. “The Democrats caused the affordability problem, and we’re the ones that are fixing it.”
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