Trump pivots to affordability messaging ahead of 2026 midterm elections

President Trump is pushing affordability messaging in late Jan. 2026 after weeks of international controversies derailed his domestic agenda. Trump's threats to acquire Greenland, his Ukraine policy statements, and other foreign policy comments dominated news coverage and overshadowed Republican efforts to focus on inflation, housing costs, and economic issues.

The messaging shift comes as Republicans express nervousness about the 2026 midterm elections. Midterm elections typically favor the party not holding the White House, and Republicans are concerned that Trump's controversies and Democratic criticism of his immigration enforcement will cost them seats in the House and Senate.

Republican leadership in Congress is discussing a potential 2026 reconciliation bill focused on affordability, housing, and cost-of-living issues. Reconciliation bills can pass the Senate with a simple majority (51 votes) rather than the 60-vote threshold that most legislation requires. This would allow Republicans to pass economic legislation without Democratic support.

Trump's previous reconciliation bill, passed in summer 2025, included $75 billion for ICE over four years, tax cuts, and other priorities. Republicans are considering using the reconciliation process again in 2026 to pass housing and affordability legislation, but this would require unified Republican support in both chambers.

The 2026 midterm elections will determine control of both the House and Senate for the final two years of Trump's term. If Democrats win control of one or both chambers, Trump would face divided government and would struggle to pass legislation. Republicans currently hold 53 Senate seats and a narrow majority in the House.

Presidential messaging discipline is crucial for maintaining political support. When presidents allow controversies to dominate the news cycle, they lose the ability to focus public attention on their policy priorities. Trump's freewheeling style and controversial statements have often derailed Republican efforts to focus on economic messaging.