Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) took aim at President Donald Trump on Wednesday, arguing that Americans are feeling the pinch of higher household costs while the administration seems more focused on putting Trump's name on things than on fixing the economy.
Ted Lieu Slams Trump Administration Over Rising Gas, Grocery and Utility Costs: ‘November Is Coming’
MarketDash
Lieu criticizes the Trump administration for focusing on presidential branding while Americans struggle with rising household costs.
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Lieu Targets Trump Over Rising Costs
In a post on X, Lieu laid out the problem: "Gas prices are up," "Grocery prices are up," and "Utility prices are up."
Then he asked the obvious question: "What is the trump Administration focused on?"
His answer was a list of branding efforts: "Putting Trump's name on airports," "Putting Trump's name on buildings," and "Putting Trump's name on coins."
He wrapped it up with a political warning: "November is coming," a nod to the 2026 midterm elections.
Democrats Slam Trump Over Rising Costs
Lieu isn't alone in this line of attack. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has been hammering the administration over its failure to enforce a proposed 10% credit card interest rate cap, which she says has cost families an estimated $55 billion in extra interest.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) took issue with the reported $900 million White House ballroom project, arguing that taxpayer money should be going toward easing household costs instead.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) has also criticized Trump over higher fuel prices, particularly in light of Strait of Hormuz disruptions.
And former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg accused the administration and congressional Republicans of failing to lower grocery and energy costs, while also taking a swipe at their health care policies.
Trump Faces Political and Legal Headwinds
The criticism isn't just coming from Democrats. Former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) warned that Trump's declining approval ratings, including a minus-45 rating among independents, could push vulnerable Republicans to distance themselves from him ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci also weighed in, criticizing Trump's influence over the GOP and arguing that Trump has prioritized his personal legacy over the party's future.
On the legal front, a federal judge blocked key parts of Trump's mail-in voting overhaul nationwide. The judge ruled that the executive branch lacked the authority to regulate elections and warned that the changes could create confusion and undermine trust ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by MarketDash editors.
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