Republicans on Capitol Hill are growing increasingly frustrated that Donald Trump is not putting greater emphasis on the economy as this year’s midterm elections draw closer, warning that the issue could wipe out the GOP’s slim congressional majority.
Recent polling suggests voters are turning against Trump and his Republican allies in Congress ahead of the November elections, a contest seen as critical to the future of the president’s agenda.
A new Economist/YouGov survey released this week found that a record 63 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s management of the economy. Nearly six in ten respondents also said they believe economic conditions are worsening.
The war with Iran has pushed up oil prices and raised the cost of everyday goods, while fresh consumer price index data showed inflation reached 4.2 percent this week, its highest mark in three years.
When asked in the Oval Office whether he was worried about Americans dealing with rising prices, Trump brushed off the concern, saying: ‘I love the inflation.’
In private conversations on Capitol Hill, Trump’s apparent indifference to the shaky economic outlook — along with his attention to more personal and narrow issues — has angered some Republicans trying to promote his MAGA agenda.
‘People are pissed the f*** off that prices are too high and things are too expensive,’ a senior GOP Senate aide told the Daily Mail.
‘It doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of focus on affordability going into the midterms when that’s the number one issue that people care about – how can they afford gas, groceries and healthcare.’
Donald Trump, shown seated between a group of congressional Republicans this week, has expressed frustration with his allies in Congress for not working harder on his pet projects, like his anti-weaponization fund
Meanwhile, lawmakers are concerned the President’s focus on niche issues, such as his ballroom construction project, could cost them in the midterms
‘People are pissed the f*** off that prices are too high and things are too expensive,’ a senior GOP Senate aide told the Daily Mail. ‘I’m just not sure the President really cares, or if he’s really in tune with what’s going on on Capitol Hill’
The aide continued: ‘I’m just not sure the President really cares, or if he’s really in tune with what’s going on on Capitol Hill.’
Multiple senior congressional GOP aides pointed to Trump’s selection of Federal Housing Finance Director Bill Pulte, a close ally of the President, to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence as an unforced error.
Trump’s controversial selection came the same week Republicans and Democrats on the Hill were locked in tough negotiations over the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
‘Why would he announce a controversial figure for acting DNI when you know we’re trying to push FISA over the finish line?’ the senior aide questioned.
While Trump has focused on setting up an Ultimate Fighting Champion match at the White House on his birthday, securing funding for his White House ballroom and an ‘anti-weaponization’ fund for his allies, incumbents feel left in the lurch.
‘Between the Pulte nominations and anti-weaponization fund, the White House has definitely gone rogue and instead push priorities without talking to Congressional leadership, particularly Leader [John] Thune,’ a second senior GOP aide told the Daily Mail.
‘We’re begging the White House to focus on issues to help Republicans in the midterms, but it feels like it’s falling on deaf ears.’
Trump is also reportedly irate with ‘everyone, from his own team to the Senate,’ according to Politico.
Trump’s short-lived nomination of his ally Bill Pulte, shown above, to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence frustrated many of his Republican allies on Capitol Hill
Fuel prices are seen at a gas station in Decatur, Georgia, with a sticker blaming President Donald Trump for high fuel prices, seen Saturday, June 6, 2026
Trump’s war with Iran has also forced oil prices to rise, causing pain at the pumps for Republican voters
He is frustrated that Republicans in Congress have opposed his weaponization fund, his ballroom funding and his calls to fire the Senate Parliamentarian.
The frustration is mutual and runs in both directions.
‘The President’s fiery public demands of Congress often seem disconnected from his staff’s more deferential posture when dealing with GOP leadership and moderates, resulting in some wild swings in who gets thrown under the bus week by week,’ a third senior GOP congressional aide shared.
The odds for Republicans to hold onto control in the Senate are nearly a toss-up.
According to prediction market Kalshi, Republicans have a 55 percent chance of holding onto their Senate majority. Democrats need to flip four seats to win control.
The picture is even bleaker for Republicans in the House of Representatives.
Democrats are the heavy favorite to gain control over the House in the midterms, according to Kalshi, which gives them an 80 percent chance of having a majority.
‘Speaker Johnson has relied so heavily on Trump to lead the conference and clean up his messes that it’s no wonder Trump has taken more of an active role in dictating what he wants to see from Congress,’ a senior GOP House aide shared.
‘Is it good for the institution? Not really, but Speaker Johnson is the one to blame for weakening the speakership.’
Trump has also attacked some incumbent GOP Senators he deemed as not loyal enough, resulting in their ousters.
This has rocked the caucus and has now given some sitting Senators reason to buck Trump’s agenda.
‘If our coalition falls apart, we will not be able to advance the President’s priorities,’ a fourth Senate GOP aide shared.
