Democrats Blame Trump After CPI Report Shows Energy Prices Drove Up Inflation

Democrats seized on the news Wednesday that higher energy prices drove up inflation, placing blame on President Trump’s economic policy.The inflation report comes 20 days before the midterm elections and after a series of economic indicators that have shown job growth slowing, mortgage rates rising and unemployment climbing.For consumers, those metrics reinforce what many have been feeling for months: Prices are simply too high, and the economy is leaving them behind.“Inflation is up again.

Not because of a pandemic.Not because of a natural disaster.

Because of Trump’s war, tariffs, and corporate tax breaks,” Pete Buttigieg, the former secretary of transportation and potential 2028 presidential candidate, said on social media.“It really is this simple: Republicans took over, and then drove up the cost of living in America.”The deep economic frustrations have affected a broad swath of Americans — from truckers to farmers to white-collar consumers — and expanded the map of competitive contests deep into traditionally Republican terrain.

Across the country, Republicans are waging competitive contests in places Mr.Trump won by double-digit margins just two years ago, including Texas, Alaska and Kansas.Much of their challenge is being driven by Mr.

Trump’s unpopularity on economic issues, which have shifted from a strength to a weakness for a president who won re-election in 2024 with a promise to bring down prices.Mr.

Trump has repeatedly attempted to blame his predecessor, former President Joesph R.Biden, for inflation, which rose sharply under his term.

But recent surveys indicate that a majority of voters blame some of Mr.Trump’s signature policies, including tariffs and the war in Iran, for their higher costs.In recent weeks, the White House has attempted to find some ways to offer consumers some relief.

In recent days, the administration announced a series of policies including $90 payouts for millions of seniors on Medicare, $500 rebate ...