Donald Trump's biggest economic problem looks strangely familiar

What happened: Trump faces a disconnect between solid economic data and voters' negative mood over prices, echoing Biden's 2024 problem. The final inflation report before the midterms confirms prices remain high. Key numbers: GDP growth 2.2%, unemployment 4.2%, average hourly earnings up 3% versus consumer prices up 3.7%. Why it matters: Economists including Peter Morici trace inflation partly to Trump's tariffs and the Iran conflict, leaving him less room than Biden to cite outside forces. Polls show voters giving Trump poor marks on the economy ahead of the midterms.

Trump faces a disconnect between solid economic data and voters' negative mood over prices, echoing Biden's 2024 problem. The final inflation report before the midterms confirms prices remain high.

Economists including Peter Morici trace inflation partly to Trump's tariffs and the Iran conflict, leaving him less room than Biden to cite outside forces. Polls show voters giving Trump poor marks on the economy ahead of the midterms.