Trump faces midterms with two years left

Donald Trump, who has dominated American politics over the past decade, faces potentially pivotal midterm elections on Tuesday with two years of his presidency remaining.

Cost of living dominates voter concerns

Voters overwhelmingly say they are most concerned about the cost of living. Food and fuel prices have soared in part due to the president's aggressive tariffs and unpopular war with Iran.

Trump's approval ratings hit record lows

Trump has faced record low approval ratings in recent months and has been campaigning hard, headlining dozens of rallies across the country to boost Republican chances.

Trump's closing pitch at Reflecting Pool

On Monday in front of the Reflecting Pool in Washington DC, Trump made his closing pitch, saying Republicans gave this a very strong shot at the midterms.

“gave this a very strong shot”

Republicans spending heavily in safe states

Trump has been campaigning in previously safe Republican territory like Iowa and Kansas. His party has poured hundreds of millions into traditionally safe contests such as the Kansas Senate race.

Heavy spending signals Republican trouble

Carrie Dann, managing editor of the Cook Political Report, told the BBC that when Republicans spend hard American dollars on political advertising in states they should be winning, it shows they think they are in…

“When they start spending hard American dollars on political advertising in a state that they should be winning, that's how you know that they think they're in trouble”

Trump asks voters to pretend he's on ballot

At rallies, Trump has pleaded with voters: In this election, I'm asking you to pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot. Just pretend. He made this plea again in Iowa on Sunday.

“In this election, I'm asking you to pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot. Just pretend.”

Is Trump still an electoral asset?

Trump's plea raises a critical question: Is he still an electoral asset for his Republican Party? The answer is not as simple as it once was.

Trump's approval ratings have sunk

Trump returned to the White House following his crushing two thousand twenty-four election win with healthy approval ratings. Now, with the war with Iran dragging on, his approval ratings have sunk significantly.

Diesel prices have nearly doubled

The price of a gallon of diesel was three dollars seventy-five before the war started in February and hit a record high of six dollars fifty-two in September.

Inflation rises under Trump's tariffs

Inflation has ticked up from three percent when Trump took office to three point seven percent today. Economists estimate it would have been lower without his sweeping regime of global tariffs.

Republicans vulnerable in safe strongholds

There is concern among Republicans that the economic picture has left them vulnerable in typically safe races in states such as Texas, Ohio and Kansas.

Democrats competitive in Republican heartland

Stephen Hawkins, global director of research at pollster More in Common, said places where Trump won by ten, twelve, fifteen points two years ago are now states where Democrats have a very viable chance of…

“Places where President Trump won by 10, 12, 15 points just two years ago in the presidential race are now states where Democrats have a very viable chance of taking a Senate seat”

Iowa voters cite war and prices

When asked whether Trump would make people more or less likely to back Republicans, Iowa voters revealed concerns.

“He's got us in the war. Prices and groceries [are] high - sky high - gas is sky high.”

Angry Republicans won't switch to Democrats

Many Republican voters are angry with Trump but not so angry they would vote for a Democrat. Trump's approval rating is around thirty-eight percent, but only twenty-nine percent of voters view the Democratic Party positively.

Republicans cite Christian conservative values

Tim McKinnon, a Republican in Iowa who voted for Trump in two thousand twenty-four, said one dollar more on gas is not going to change what they believe in.

“One dollar more on gas is not going to change what we believe in”

Democrats may win House but Senate is harder

If Democrats win the House, they could block Trump's legislation and launch investigations. Winning the Senate is harder: thirty-five seats are up for election and they need a net gain of four to win control.

Key Senate races in seven battleground states

The crucial Senate races to watch are in Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Iowa, Maine, Alaska and North Carolina. Most battleground races are close and several sit within the margin of error for pollsters.

Trump may question election integrity again

If polls are correct about a surge of support for Democrats, Trump could face painful defeats in reliable Republican strongholds. He has repeatedly questioned the integrity and security of these elections.