Analysis-The 13-letter word tripping up Trump
By Tim Reid, Nandita Bose and Nathan Layne
WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump’s constant mocking of the word “affordability” has Republican strategists worried; Republican strategists say the obsession risks undermining the White House’s efforts to reassure Americans about the cost of living — a top concern for voters ahead of next year’s congressional elections.
Those fears were also highlighted in Trump’s speech to supporters in Pennsylvania on Tuesday night. The White House billed the speech as the first in a series of speeches addressing criticism that the president is not paying enough attention to voters who say they are struggling with high prices.
Instead, the 90-minute speech devolved into attacks on the word “affordability,” which Trump called a “hoax” by Democrats to exaggerate the cost of living. Although he acknowledged that prices were high, he emphasized that the economy was improving and people were taking home more wages.
But Republican strategists told Reuters the president should stop fixating on the term “affordability” and instead focus on presenting a clear plan to lower prices.
“Repeating this claim that affordability is a sham ignores what is going on in our economy,” Republican consultant Jason Cabel Roe said. “He definitely needs to do better.”
Government data show that job growth has slowed during Trump’s second term, unemployment has risen to its highest level in four years and consumer prices remain high. In general, the growth of the economy showed some recovery after the slight contraction of the economy in the first quarter of the year.
WHITE HOUSE DEFENDS TRUMP ON COMPLIANCE
A person who speaks regularly with top Trump aides, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak more freely about messaging, said some of those aides agree the President needs to talk more about the domestic economy, especially ahead of next November’s midterm elections when Republicans’ control of both houses of Congress is at stake.
Two White House officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, denied that Trump’s snide comments about affordability made him appear out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Americans, but acknowledged that was a complaint from some Republican lawmakers.
White House spokesman Kush Desai defended Trump’s focus on the economy, calling the rally “a reminder for ordinary Americans that the Trump administration continues to prioritize affordability.”
Trump’s approval rating rose to 41% in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll as he rolled back some tariffs on food imports and talked more about fighting inflation. But its approval rating for its performance on the cost of living was only 31%.
Trump will hit the road in the new year to campaign for Republican candidates and highlight his successes on economic policy, officials said. Trump said tax cuts and tariffs on foreign goods would put more money in the pockets of American families.
Speaking to reporters and tech executives at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said Democrats continue to talk about affordability, but “they never discuss it. They just say the election is about affordability. It may very well be, I think it’s still about the cap.”
Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro noted on social media that Trump spent his speech “telling Pennsylvanians not to believe what they see with their own eyes – the skyrocketing cost of living and rising grocery prices.”
Opinion polls show the cost of living is voters’ top concern, contributing to a string of recent Democratic election victories.
INDEPENDENT, MODERATE VOTERS WILL BE DECISIONED
“I have no higher priority than making America affordable again,” Trump said at the rally, blaming his predecessor, Democratic former President Joe Biden, for high prices.
Longtime Republican operative John Feehery said it’s an important message to send to voters, but tone matters.
“It’s very difficult to tell people that they’re okay when they’re not feeling well,” Feehery said.
Pennsylvania-based Republican strategist Charlie Gerow said Trump’s comments Tuesday likely ring “hollow” to moderates and independents, an influential voting bloc that Trump must win if his party is to retain control of Congress.
Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
“He needs to stay focused on the economy,” Gerow said. He added that delving into issues like transgender rights and wind turbines, as he did on Tuesday, “is not helpful.”
Rep. Richard Hudson, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said Trump has an important role to play next year as the party’s chief economic ambassador.
“He is the most effective reporter we have,” Hudson told Reuters.
(Reporting by Tim Reid, Nandita Bose, Trevor Hunnicutt, Nathan Layne, David Morgan and Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Ross Colvin and Leslie Adler)
