Back in March 2023, President Joe Biden set off on a tour across the country, aiming to connect with Americans and make them feel valued. His approval ratings and polls on the economy were—let’s face it—not great. People weren’t really buying into his significant legislative victories like the Inflation Reduction Act or the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, and inflation was still hovering around 5%. Despite a charged Congress, the administration claimed that everything was functioning smoothly, ignoring the real concerns of voters in favor of what some might call propaganda.
So, Biden launched a three-week “Investing in America” tour. Joined by First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, he made stops in over 20 states to unveil the concept of “Bidenomics.” However, for many, it felt like a flop, and rather than portraying vigor, Biden appeared increasingly frail, despite claims from his team to the contrary.
Meanwhile, former President Trump seems to be treading a similar path of self-sabotage. He’s kicking off his own PR campaign in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, where he had a successful run in 2024.
The administration’s economic narrative is puzzling at best, with polls signaling that people aren’t convinced. If the White House continues to chant phrases like “golden age” and dismiss the affordability crisis, it’s unlikely that the everyday struggles faced by many will be overlooked. Blame certainly shouldn’t be placed solely on the previous administration.
As for Trump, he’ll likely try to redefine reality, similar to Biden’s administration. He’ll mention tariffs, asserting they are beneficial for middle-income Americans. Yet, it’s hard to ignore the looming Supreme Court ruling that could make companies liable for “emergency” tariffs. This may not exactly translate into a windfall for the public.
On the other hand, Congressional Republicans don’t seem to have any plans on how they might tackle affordability and rising health insurance premiums this coming year. Instead, they appear to be banking on a previous legislative success—a sweeping, somewhat vague “big beautiful bill.” It’s a little surprising, isn’t it? Who really remembers the One Big Beautiful Bill?
Recently, reports indicated that “Republican leaders in Congress are managing expectations” regarding new economic policies. They’re hoping that advancements related to their mega-bill will start to resonate with voters soon, which, honestly, feels a bit like wishful thinking.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged that the lack of messaging might be hurting their cause, but he suggested that the election year could present opportunities to change that narrative by introducing tax cuts aimed at improving affordability for Americans.
Meanwhile, some Republicans are expressing stronger sentiments about the state of health care. Republican Senator Josh Hawley voiced his frustration over high medical costs, calling it a “disaster.”
But strangely enough, Chairman Mike Johnson seems less aware of the immediate concerns. He likened voter patience regarding inflation to the past responses of Biden’s team, suggesting that by mid-2026, economic growth will be robust. It’s debatable, really—people might not feel that rosy picture in reality.
He reassured listeners that Republicans are singularly focused on affordability, but it’s hard not to wonder if that focus is more of a slogan than a tangible plan. With a lack of substantial initiatives on the horizon, Trump and the Republican Party may have to revert to promoting the One Big Beautiful Bill, claiming it’s the answer for everyday citizens—not for Wall Street. Like Biden, they’ll likely discover the complexities of voter trust—and the consequences of ignoring economic struggles—during election time.
