From Newsweek · · 1m 40s
Trump Faces Inflation Blow as Midterms Approach
Trump's inflation reports hit hard weeks before midterms.
In brief
Trump's inflation reports hit hard weeks before midterms. Trump's second inflation report in four days threatens his economic messaging ahead of November 3 midterms. Originally reported by Newsweek.
Inflation report
The Producer Price Index rose 1.3 percent in September, accelerating from 0.5 percent in August and 0.2 percent in July.
Inflation pressure
The report shows inflationary pressure reaching businesses and households less than three weeks before November 3 midterms.
Economic concerns
84 percent of registered voters consider the economy very important to their vote according to a Pew survey.
Trump's economic record
Trump campaigned on lowering prices but inflation accelerated just weeks before midterms.
CPI and PPI measures
CPI tracks prices paid by consumers while PPI measures prices producers receive for goods and services.
Energy prices surge
Energy prices rose 10.8 percent in September, driving most of the PPI increase.
Food prices rise
Producer food prices increased 1.2 percent while consumer food prices remained flat in September.
Transportation costs
Producer transportation and warehousing services increased 3.4 percent in September.
Political impact
64 percent of voters disapprove of Trump's handling of inflation according to a recent poll.
Economic consequences
Higher inflation could complicate Federal Reserve interest rate decisions and keep borrowing costs elevated.
What happens next
Voters may judge Trump's economic record by gas prices and grocery costs ahead of midterms.
Inflation timeline
The September reports intensify scrutiny of Trump's economic record through final weeks of midterm campaign.
What to remember
Trump's second inflation report in four days threatens his economic messaging ahead of November 3 midterms.
