The Iran war is forcing Republicans to confront the distressing reality that food prices won’t drop before the midterms.
Consumer prices in April rose at their highest rate since May 2023, according to new inflation data, thanks largely to ballooning energy costs prompted by the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. A separate indicator that often previews inflation that will later hit consumers had its highest monthly gain in four years in April.
American consumers are only just beginning to feel the impact of a convergence of crises — prompted by war, weather and trade policy — that are raising the cost of food at every step, from fields to grocery shelves. And the vise on consumer prices is tightening at the worst possible moment for President Donald Trump and the GOP as they campaign on their economic stewardship ahead of November’s elections.
“If we’re not really concerned about the midterms, then Republicans must be living in a cave,” Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) said of the impact of rising food prices.
