Trump’s Adviser Accuses Democrats of Making Essentials ‘More Expensive’ Before 2026 Vote

President Donald Trump’s senior adviser Tim Murtaugh stated Saturday that the president plans to deliver his economic message directly to voters in communities most affected by inflation, positioning himself as the “campaigner in chief” ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Murtaugh, founder of Line Drive Communications, made the remarks during an interview, referencing Trump’s recent rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

He described Trump as “the best messenger” for highlighting progress on inflation and affordability, predicting the president will be highly visible along the campaign trail as Republicans prepare to field candidates next year.

Murtaugh identified energy and healthcare costs as primary drivers of economic anxiety and key vulnerabilities for Democrats. He attributed rising prices and inflation to Biden-era policies targeting domestic energy production, and accused Democrats of advocating for affordability after implementing measures he claims have increased the cost of essentials.

“So if you hear a Democrat talk about affordability of anything that has to be produced using domestic energy or anything related to health insurance costs,” Murtaugh said, “ask them: ‘Well, well, gosh, then why did you make it so expensive?’”

The adviser also criticized Democratic-backed healthcare legislation, specifically naming the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act as policies he argued have benefited health insurers and driven up consumer expenses.

Murtaugh called on Republicans to sharpen their contrast on both energy and healthcare issues as Trump intensifies his efforts in the 2026 election cycle.