The upcoming midterm elections in the United States have become a crucial litmus test for President Donald Trump’s governance. According to recent surveys, voters’ everyday hardships, foreign policy disputes and the impact of emerging technologies are strongly influencing the polls and changing the mindset of American voters.
The rising cost of living is the foremost concern. Although inflation figures appear somewhat under control, ordinary households continue to face soaring expenses, including essentials, petrol, electricity bills, rents and loan burdens. Opponents blame Trump’s import tariffs for pushing prices higher, while the administration defends them as a measure to protect domestic industry. The Iran war has also hit households directly: tensions continuing since February have raised global fuel prices, and there is strong opposition to Trump’s handling of the conflict. Some leaders within the Republican Party have also demanded that the war be ended immediately.
Trump’s “mass deportations” promise, which helped return him to power, is now backfiring. Criticism is mounting over the government’s harsh action against illegal immigrants and incidents that occurred during arrests. Republicans’ traditional strength on immigration has eroded, and more than 62 percent of Latino voters strongly oppose the crackdown.
By turning the elections into a referendum on his second term, Trump has himself become the central topic of debate. Allegations of abuse of power and of using the presidency to benefit his family businesses are being discussed among voters. Democrats say they will investigate Trump’s business dealings if they win, while Republicans dismiss this as political vendetta.
Artificial intelligence has emerged as another major point of contention. Beyond fears of job losses, the rapid setting up of data centres is troubling local residents, as they drive up electricity and water consumption and push up household bills. In key states such as Ohio, data centre construction has become a significant election controversy.