Rising food and gas prices pressure Trump before midterms

Consumer prices in the United States likely accelerated in September due to rising food and gasoline costs, creating a fresh political challenge for President Donald Trump and Republicans ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The upcoming Consumer Price Index report follows surveys showing public frustration over living costs, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating 78% of Americans blame Trump's policies, including tariffs and the US-Israeli war with Iran. Underlying inflation excluding food and energy is projected to show modest gains, potentially easing pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates this month. The figures will also affect Social Security cost-of-living adjustments for 2027, with the Senior Citizens League projecting a 3.5% increase that would boost average monthly retiree checks by $67.90 to $2,007. Analysts are monitoring whether record-high diesel prices and Middle East conflict will spread inflation beyond the transportation sector.