Trump Is Very Much on the Ballot

As if Trump would ever want to be anywhere other than the center of attention!

And right now, the midterm elections are where the action is—and where the attention he craves is increasingly focused.

Republican strategists would probably prefer that Trump not be “on the ballot.” His approval ratings have sunk to new lows, and voters are increasingly unhappy with his handling of the economy, inflation and the cost of living.

But whether Republicans like it or not, Trump is on the ballot. Every action he has taken since the beginning of his second term—and every promise he has broken—has helped create the conditions voters will judge in November:

Inflation: Trump promised, “Starting on Day One, we will end inflation and make America affordable again.” Instead, inflation is higher than when he took office, and Americans are still struggling with the cost of living.

Health care: Trump promised to bring health-care costs “way down.” Instead, Americans are paying substantially more for health insurance. (Health insurance jumped 26% from last year.)

Medicaid: Trump said, “We’re not cutting Medicaid.” But the Republican legislation he signed makes enormous and growing cuts to federal Medicaid spending. (Medicaid cuts were $17B this year and the cuts will be bigger every year rising to $165B in 2034.)

Gas: Trump promised gasoline below $2 a gallon. Instead, the national average has climbed above $4.

Mortgages: Trump said he would get mortgage rates back down to “3 percent, maybe even lower.” Instead, mortgage rates have climbed above 7%.

Immigration enforcement: Trump has built an increasingly aggressive masked federal enforcement apparatus and unleashed it on some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

The debt: Trump promised to pay down the national debt “very quickly.” Instead, the public debt has grown substantially since he returned to office.

Corruption: he flaunts his insider trading and his pardons seem to be for sale… for his friends everything, for his enemies, the law.

Trump’s name may not be on the ballot in November., but his record will be.