Hey, Washington GOP: You’re asleep at the wheel on the economy. Wake up—now.
The economy is the central issue, and you’re losing it.
Producer Price Index (PPI) producer inflation just spiked 3.3%, with Core PPI having the biggest jump since March 2022, when Biden’s inflation crisis was surging to its worst levels.
Prices are still way too high, and families feel it every day, including at the grocery store. Yes, the torrid pace of Biden’s inflation has slowed, but consider these punishing realities:
-Chuck ground beef at $6.34 per pound, setting an all-time record high for each of the last 6 months
-Chicken prices are also at all-time highs
-Banana prices are setting records at $0.66 per pound on average
This erosion of buying power flows largely from an embattled U.S. dollar. Bitcoin has rocketed past $117,000 per coin, gold is at record highs, and the euro has a stellar 2025 vs. the Buck. It’s erosion, and voters see it and live it.
Thankfully, there is great news to tell, especially about Trump’s trade wins. Moreover, foreign investment pours into America. But guess what? No one is telling that story.
The legacy media won’t touch it. New media giants—Megyn Kelly, Joe Rogan, Tucker Carlson, Shawn Ryan, and Ben Shapiro—all have massive reach, but they don’t get economics, so they all stick to cultural issues.
Which means…voters do not hear the good news. But, they DO live the harsh reality of sticker shock at the grocery store and elsewhere.
So, it is imperative that the GOP get busy—and stop using insulting arguments like ‘it’s not as bad as under Biden.’ That loser talk sounds exactly like the Dems claiming that cities like D.C. aren’t dangerous just because the mayhem now isn’t as awful as the 2020 BLM riots!
People are angry about the economy. The GOP now owns that unrest, fair or not.
My latest polling of swing state Georgia proves this point. We surveyed nearly 3,000 registered voters in this key state, using respected pollster TIPP Insights. It was mostly good news.
For example, the GOP is +2% on a generic midterm ballot. The GOP is net favorable by +3% in Georgia vs. -10% for the Democrats. The Democrat brand implodes among Peach Tree Independents, at -23%.
Voters love the GOP on security issues, from border to street crime. Georgia voters remain solidly behind President Trump’s mass deportation agenda, by a wide +19% margin, 55-36%.
But on the economy, it’s awful. The GOP gets the blame now. Only 23% of Georgia voters believe that the “Big Beautiful Bill” will help their finances. That giant homage to profligacy was great for the wealthy, but working-class people hate it. Only 33% of young voters say their economic confidence is better since the 2024 election; 62% say it is worse.
On inflation. Letter grades for the Trump Administration:
-Independents: 48% give a D/F, only 28% A/B
-Women: 48% give D/F, and they do more shopping and bill-paying.
PLAYBOOK…What Now?
- Messaging – Launch a full-on media campaign, right now. Stop coasting. Even friendly media won’t save you. Stage events on onshoring wins and immigration triumphs. Talk up wages in print and videos. Where are the economic media surrogates? Most of all, absolutely do not tell people “it’s fine,” because it clearly is not right now, not for the working masses. Explain why the trend is upward.
- Tariff Rebate Checks – President Trump floated the idea—do it now. Quarterly checks to working families. Give the middle class something they have never had before: skin in the global trade game and a seat at the table. Make trade victories personal.
- New Taxes on Remittances – Hike them, hard. Raise revenues and discourage foreign workers—encourage more “financial deportations,” as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent smartly calls such policies.
- Phase Out Worker Visas – AI is wiping out jobs right now. Stop importing millions of new legal workers. Shut it down. Prioritize Americans.
Bottom line: Americans are still angry. Still anxious. For good reason! Respect them, listen to them. You cannot “chart” them into optimism. Show them the fight, show them the path out—and prove it…with action, action, action.
Put America truly first. Or lose.
Steve Cortes is president of the League of American Workers, a populist right pro-laborer advocacy group, and senior political advisor to Catholic Vote.
He is a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance, plus a former commentator for Fox News and CNN.
TIPP Takes
Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, And More
1. Security Guarantees In Focus For Ukraine Peace Talks - TIPP Insights
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could be asked to trade land in return for “robust” security guarantees when he meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.
2. Hamas Accepts an Arab Ceasefire Proposal on Gaza — AP News
Hamas said it has accepted a new proposal from Arab mediators for a Gaza ceasefire, which still requires Israeli approval.
Gaza’s health ministry raised the war death toll past 62,000. Israel signaled its position had not changed; diplomatic pressure is intensifying for a pause in fighting.
3. China To Continue Stimulating Consumption, Premier Says — Reuters
Premier Li Qiang pledged more support for domestic demand and jobs to keep growth near target amid global headwinds.
Policies will focus on services and stabilizing housing. A temporary U.S.–China tariff truce reduces immediate pressure, but uncertainty persists.
4. China Extends Probe into EU Dairy Products as Trade Tussle Goes on — Reuters
Beijing prolonged an anti‑subsidy investigation into EU dairy imports, part of wider tit‑for‑tat trade measures.
The move keeps pressure on Brussels amid EV‑related disputes. European producers face months more uncertainty on access and pricing.
5. Hurricane Erin Forces Evacuations on North Carolina's Outer Banks but It's Expected to Stay Offshore — AP News
Category 4 Hurricane Erin is churning offshore; authorities ordered evacuations for parts of the Outer Banks and warned of life‑threatening surf and flooding.
Forecasters expect a northeast turn, sparing the U.S. coast a direct hit, but coastal impacts will be significant. Ferry delays and Highway 12 washouts are key risks.
6. Nearly 90% of Videogame Developers Use AI Agents, Google Study Shows — Reuters
A Google Cloud/Harris Poll survey finds widespread adoption of AI agents to automate tasks and speed production cycles.
Studios expect long‑term cost savings but worry about IP and data ownership. The trend comes after layoffs and rising budgets across the industry.
7. Google Announces Tennessee as Site for Small Modular Nuclear Reactor — Reuters
Google named a Tennessee location for a planned small modular reactor to power data‑center growth.
Big Tech is scrambling for reliable, low‑carbon power as AI demand surges. The SMR project underscores how energy strategy is now core infrastructure for cloud.
8. Apple Could Boost Foldable Smartphones Into Mainstream - TIPP Insights
Strong rumours suggest that Apple is planning to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026, entering a market dominated by Samsung and Huawei who control 65% of it between them.
9. Wall Street Holds At A Standstill Near Its Record Heights — AP News
Stocks were flat as investors awaited big‑box retail earnings and Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole remarks.
Rate‑cut hopes are intact; yields are steady. A handful of tech leaders keep indexes elevated while broader market breadth stays mixed.
10. Mortgage And Refinance Interest Rates Today For August 18, 2025: The 30-Year Rate Stays In The 6.5% Range — Yahoo Finance
Daily rate trackers show the average 30-year fixed hovering in the mid-6 % range.
Borrowers considering a purchase or refi may benefit from buydowns or ARMs if they expect future rate cuts. Always compare closing costs and lender credits.
11. Novo Nordisk Offers Diabetes Drug Ozempic For Less Than Half The Price For Cash-Paying U.S. Patients - CNBC
Novo Nordisk said it now offers cash-paying U.S. patients its blockbuster diabetes treatment Ozempic for less than half its monthly list price through multiple platforms.
Patients can pay $499 in cash per month for three dose sizes of Ozempic through the drug’s official website, Novo Nordisk’s patient assistance program, the company’s recently launched direct-to-consumer online pharmacy and drug savings company GoodRx, among other platforms.
It comes after Trump in July sent separate letters to Novo Nordisk and 16 other drugmakers, calling on them to take steps to lower medication prices in the U.S.
12. Vaccine Panel Fired By Kennedy Had Lowest Rate Of Financial Conflicts Since 2000, Study Shows - Reuters
A JAMA study reported record‑low financial conflicts among U.S. vaccine advisory panels before this summer’s dismissals.
Researchers say most past conflicts were research‑funding‑related, not personal financial ties. The findings undercut claims used to justify the purge.
