Trump Calls Economy a 'PR' Problem as High Prices and Slow Hiring Dog Midterms
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Oct 3
Trump Calls Economy a 'PR' Problem as High Prices and Slow Hiring Dog Midterms
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 3
Summary
One month before the midterms, Trump intensified campaigning in Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington, arguing voters underestimate an economy he says remains strong.
Friday's jobs report undercut that message: overall hiring cooled in September, and wages again failed to keep pace with consumer-price increases.
Trump and his aides pointed to booming markets, economic growth and a September pickup in construction hiring as evidence the expansion is intact.
For many Americans, though, higher gasoline costs and rising rates on auto loans, credit cards and mortgages have outweighed those gains, creating a political risk for Republicans.