Trump struggles to show voters he's focused on the cost of living

NPR | By Mara Liasson,

Michel Martin

Published October 12, 2026 at 4:39 AM EDT

With a deal to import millions of tons of diesel fuel from Russia, President Trump is struggling to show voters that he is focused on the cost of living ahead of the midterms.

Mara Liasson

Mara Liasson is a national political correspondent for NPR.

See stories by Mara Liasson

Michel Martin

Michel Martin is a host of Morning Edition.

See stories by Michel Martin

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

U.S. restrictions on Chinese drones are leaving police departments in the lurch

Jaclyn Diaz

The U.S. government is trying to end the dominance of high-quality, low-cost drones made in China. But more restrictions mean higher costs for cash-strapped police forces that rely on those drones.
NPR News

Fontaines D.C.'s decadent, dystopian vision of our time

Ann Powers

"I just want to make people really feel things about the world they live in," Grian Chatten says of Dopamine Chamber, which he describes as the band's attempt to map the tensions of our moment.
NPR News

Mahershala Ali is still hungry as an actor: 'Let's fail on camera until we find it'

Tonya Mosley

Ali plays a devout Muslim family man, who also happens to be an assassin in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. After decades in the business and two Oscars, he says he has less fear as an actor.
NPR News

Here's what to know if you're unsure about your measles immunity status

Maria Godoy

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against measles. For most adults, one shot of the MMR is considered enough protection. But there are certain situations that call for a second dose.
Republican strategist on how Trump's personal grievances could affect the GOP

Steve Inskeep

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Republican strategist Rina Shah about how President Trump's personal grievances and projects are affecting the chances of GOP candidates in the upcoming election.