Heightened urgency is emerging around Donald Trump as his closest allies roll out new political strategies aimed at securing victories for the Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections.
White House officials have held private talks about internal and public polls showing trouble for the economy and President Trump ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Sources briefed on those talks told CBS News the administration is working on new steps to avoid Republican losses.
Senior aides, including chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy chief of staff James Blair, have given Trump regular briefings on voter sentiment.
A key problem is growing unhappiness among independent voters over higher costs.
Gasoline prices in the U.S. topped $4 a gallon on Tuesday for the first time since 2022, according to AAA.
The increase follows U.S. military action against Iran in Operation Epic Fury, which has caused global economic uncertainty.
Polling Shows Weak Support Among Independents
A recent CBS News poll put Trump’s approval rating among independents at 31 percent, with 69 percent disapproving.
His overall approval rating has stayed near 40 percent or in the low 40s for months and sits at an average of 41 percent, according to Real Clear Polling. His disapproval rating is at 60 percent.
The same poll found most Americans say gas prices in their area are rising, which is adding to negative views of the economy. A third of Americans now expect a recession in the next year.
Sixty-seven percent said they are unwilling to pay more at the pump during the conflict with Iran.
Several officials have told CBS News there will be Republican losses in the midterms if current trends continue. One Republican source said the House will be hard for the GOP to hold, though Republicans expect to keep the Senate.
White House Points to Long-Term Plans
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Tuesday that gas prices will drop once Operation Epic Fury ends.
“When Operation Epic Fury is complete, gas prices will plummet back to the multi-year lows American drivers enjoyed before these short-term disruptions,” she said.
White House spokesman Kush Desai said Trump had warned about short-term effects from the operation and that the administration has steps in place to limit them.
He pointed to tax cuts, deregulation, and more energy production as ways to build long-term gains for working-class Americans. Desai also mentioned executive orders on housing costs, TrumpRx.gov, no taxes on tips or overtime, and child accounts.
Wiles has asked officials for ideas to cut costs, a request that has continued since the start of Trump’s second term.
Why This Matters
Rising gas prices hit Americans directly in daily spending on fuel for cars, trucks, and deliveries. A DoorDash driver told CBS News the $4 prices are squeezing earnings at a time when many households already watch every dollar.
For Republicans, voter anger over costs could decide control of Congress in the midterms. Independent voters often swing elections, and their dissatisfaction with the economy has grown since tariffs and the Iran conflict began.
If the House flips, Trump’s agenda on taxes, energy, and other issues would face stronger opposition in the second half of his term.
The administration says the military action will bring long-term stability, but the near-term pain at the pump is testing that message with voters who decide House and Senate races in 2026.
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