Trump Claims He's 'Won Affordability' as Approval Rating Slips

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Former President Donald Trump told a crowd in Georgia that he has "won affordability" despite rising inflation, even as his approval rating has fallen to second-term lows across multiple national polls. Trump blamed Democrats for the affordability issues, claiming his administration had solved the problem, as he looks to boost his political standing ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Why it matters

Trump's comments highlight the political risks he faces as his approval rating declines, which could impact Republican chances in the midterms. The former president's ability to shape the economic narrative and his party's electoral fortunes will be crucial in the coming months.

The details

In a speech at Coosa Steel Corporation in Rome, Georgia, Trump said he had "won affordability" and that the media was no longer talking about the issue because he had solved it. He blamed Democrats for causing the "affordability problem" in the first place. However, Trump's approval rating has been steadily declining since the start of his second term, with recent polls showing him deeply underwater across multiple polling firms.

• Trump made the comments during a speech in Georgia on February 19, 2026.
• Trump's approval rating has been sliding since the start of his second term.

What they’re saying

What’s next

A special election to fill the congressional seat formerly represented by Marjorie Taylor Greene, a onetime Trump ally who resigned in January, is scheduled for March 10.