President Donald Trump’s Iran war and sweeping tariff campaign are increasingly feeding into Americans’ concerns about household budgets ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, putting Republican control of Congress at risk, Reuters reported on Saturday.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this month found that 78% of Americans blame Trump’s policies for price increases that are outpacing their earnings. Higher gasoline and grocery bills have made international policy a direct concern for voters rather than a distant campaign issue.
In an effort to ease fuel prices, Trump lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports and urged Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian refineries. Critics argue that the moves risk making Washington appear more accommodating to Moscow. The White House has defended the administration’s economic record.
Trump has also said he will not order new attacks on Iran before the election, although reports have pointed to possible escalation afterward. Polling indicates that a majority of Americans oppose the war.
Democrats are widely expected to make gains in the House of Representatives, while control of the Senate is also contested. Losing either chamber would complicate Trump’s domestic agenda, though it would not necessarily prevent him from pursuing his foreign policy.
Source: Reuters, October 24, 2026. Photo: Chandler Cruttenden/Unsplash (illustrative).
