Trump Acknowledges Potential Republican Loss in Midterm Polls Amid Rising Concerns.

President Donald Trump admitted he might lose the 2026 midterm elections, despite claiming major economic wins during his first year back in the White House. His comments come as polling shows only 31% of Americans approve of his economic policies, highlighting the gap between his claims of success and public perception.

"I've created the greatest economy in history, but it takes time for people to realize that," Trump told the Wall Street Journal. He pointed to money flowing into the country for car factories, artificial intelligence projects, and other investments. But he added: "I can't tell you how this will affect voters. All I can do is my job."

Since returning to office on January 20, Trump has consistently praised the US economy while blaming inflation on his predecessor, Joe Biden. He expects price levels to improve by the time election discussions heat up in a few months, ahead of the November 2025 midterms when all House seats and a third of Senate seats are up for grabs.

The 79-year-old former real estate mogul acknowledged that even successful presidents face setbacks. "We'll see what happens. We should win, but statistically, it's very hard to win," he said.

Trump's confidence about the economy doesn't match public sentiment. A University of Chicago poll for the Associated Press found that most Americans remain unhappy with his economic approach. Many still complain about high living costs, even as Trump insists prices are falling.

The disconnect frustrated Trump enough to post on Truth Social: "When will polls reflect America's greatness today? When will it finally be said that I created, without inflation, perhaps the best economy in our country's history? When will people understand what's happening?"

Trump credits his economic policies, including broad tariffs on imports, with creating jobs, boosting stock markets, and attracting more investment to the US. But his stance on inflation has shifted recently. After campaigning on promises to control rising prices, he's alternated between calling affordability problems a hoax, blaming Biden, and promising his policies will help Americans next year.

The political reality is already showing. Democrats won several local elections as voter concerns about living costs grew, particularly around food prices. Trump responded last month by cutting tariffs on over 200 food items after consumer complaints about rising grocery costs.

Here's the thing about midterm elections: they're historically tough for the party in power. Trump knows this. Even presidents with strong economies often lose congressional seats during midterms. With approval ratings stuck at 31% and Americans still feeling financial pressure, Trump faces an uphill battle to keep Republican control of Congress.

The gap between Trump's economic claims and voter experience creates a challenge for Republicans heading into 2026. While investment and job creation might look good on paper, voters tend to focus on what they feel in their wallets when they cast ballots.