Florida Republicans soften Trump pitch as voters focus on prices
What's new: Polls cited in the report show 63% think the economy is getting worse, with inflation at 3.4% and gas averaging $4.37 a gallon.
Republican candidates are adjusting their message ahead of the midterm elections as President Donald Trump defends his economic record while voters remain frustrated by living costs. In Florida, gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds largely avoided mentioning Trump during a stop at a Hispanic church in Kissimmee, instead stressing that residents need to be able to make ends meet. The tension reflects broader unease over affordability even as Trump points to strong stock indexes and low poverty. The report cited inflation at 3.4%, gas at $4.37 a gallon and record beef prices. A YouGov survey found 63% of respondents think the economy is getting worse, while an AP-NORC poll found only 17% approve of Trump's handling of cost-of-living issues.