Cost-of-living concerns create tough headwinds for GOP, says Ipsos' Cliff Young
With 54 days until the midterms, Ipsos' Cliff Young says Republicans are entering a difficult political environment, arguing President Trump's approval rating has slipped to 38.6%—a level he says has historically made it harder for a president to advance an agenda and help allies win elections. On "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay," Young contends that while issues like crime remain relevant, voters are overwhelmingly focused on the cost of living, which he believes will drive the election. He also points to Democrats' roughly 6.5-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot and notes that midterm history typically favors the party out of power, making Republican control of Congress increasingly vulnerable if current trends hold.
With 54 days until the midterms, Ipsos' Cliff Young says Republicans are entering a difficult political environment, arguing President Trump's approval rating has slipped to 38.6%—a level he says has historically made it harder for a president to advance an agenda and help allies win elections. On "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay," Young contends that while issues like crime remain relevant, voters are overwhelmingly focused on the cost of living, which he believes will drive the election. He also points to Democrats' roughly 6.5-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot and notes that midterm history typically favors the party out of power, making Republican control of Congress increasingly vulnerable if current trends hold.
Ohio case highlights toll on immigrant students
On "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay," Alejandra Vasquez Bauer, EdTrust's director of policy, advocacy, and partnerships for immigrant students, discussed the case of Pierre Dumas Bell, a 20-year-old Ohio college student whose family says he became despondent after losing immigration protections and being required to wear an electronic monitor, using the case to illustrate how the loss of Temporary Protected Status and broader immigration enforcement can affect young people's mental health and academic performance
On "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay," Alejandra Vasquez Bauer, EdTrust's director of policy, advocacy, and partnerships for immigrant students, discussed the case of Pierre Dumas Bell, a 20-year-old Ohio college student whose family says he became despondent after losing immigration protections and being required to wear an electronic monitor, using the case to illustrate how the loss of Temporary Protected Status and broader immigration enforcement can affect young people's mental health and academic performance
Trump tells Republicans they ‘go to hell’ if they don’t vote in November
President Donald Trump closed out the Republican’s inaugural midterm convention being held in Dallas with a fervent plea to the crowd to vote as if he’s on the ballot in November.
President Donald Trump closed out the Republican’s inaugural midterm convention being held in Dallas with a fervent plea to the crowd to vote as if he’s on the ballot in November.
Vance tells protester to ‘get your ass’ to Mexico during Republican convention speech in Dallas
Vice President JD Vance was one of the final speakers Thursday during the second and final night of the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
Vice President JD Vance was one of the final speakers Thursday during the second and final night of the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
Virginia early voting starts Sept. 18: What voters need to know
Virginia voters will soon have their opportunity to cast ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, with in-person early voting beginning Sept. 18 and continuing through Oct. 31.
Virginia voters will soon have their opportunity to cast ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, with in-person early voting beginning Sept. 18 and continuing through Oct. 31.
Trump gave White House aides tens of thousands in cash gifts
Newly released financial disclosures reveal President Donald Trump gave personal cash gifts to close White House aides in addition to their government salaries.
Newly released financial disclosures reveal President Donald Trump gave personal cash gifts to close White House aides in addition to their government salaries.
Trump's order to limit mail voting blocked by appeals court
An appeals court has upheld a lower court ruling that blocks President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting mail voting.
An appeals court has upheld a lower court ruling that blocks President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting mail voting.
‘Pretend I’m on the ballot’: Trump opens inaugural Republican midterm convention in Texas
President Donald Trump headlined the opening night of the inaugural Republican midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump headlined the opening night of the inaugural Republican midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday.
Democrats counter GOP convention in Dallas with rallies and events
Democrats, headlined by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, gathered at Dallas City Hall to denounce the Republican midterm convention as a "Trumpapalooza" smoke-and-mirrors distraction. The Dems are planning protests and local community events as counter activities.
Democrats, headlined by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, gathered at Dallas City Hall to denounce the Republican midterm convention as a "Trumpapalooza" smoke-and-mirrors distraction. The Dems are planning protests and local community events as counter activities.
Jason Palmer champions next-gen candidates
On "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay," 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Jason Palmer and founder of the group TOGETHER! discussed how Washington is misreading the upcoming 2026 midterms and outlined his strategy to elect a younger, more pragmatic generation of leaders.
On "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay," 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Jason Palmer and founder of the group TOGETHER! discussed how Washington is misreading the upcoming 2026 midterms and outlined his strategy to elect a younger, more pragmatic generation of leaders.
Trump administration drafts plan to offer childcare subsidies to married stay-at-home parents: Report
The Trump administration is reportedly drafting a plan to let some married couples with a stay-at-home parent receive federal child care subsidies.
The Trump administration is reportedly drafting a plan to let some married couples with a stay-at-home parent receive federal child care subsidies.
Will Jawando recovering after suffering heart attack, office says
Montgomery County Councilmember and Democratic nominee for County Executive Will Jawando is recovering after suffering a heart attack, according to official statements released Monday.
Montgomery County Councilmember and Democratic nominee for County Executive Will Jawando is recovering after suffering a heart attack, according to official statements released Monday.
Armed assailant lunges at Democratic gubernatorial candidate during Ohio fair, campaign says
Multiple people were injured Sunday when an armed assailant lunged at Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during a campaign stop at a fair in the northeastern portion of the state, according to her campaign.
Multiple people were injured Sunday when an armed assailant lunged at Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during a campaign stop at a fair in the northeastern portion of the state, according to her campaign.
Trump administration again asks Supreme Court to allow mail-ballot restrictions
The Trump administration has again asked the Supreme Court to allow new mail-ballot restrictions before the midterm elections.
The Trump administration has again asked the Supreme Court to allow new mail-ballot restrictions before the midterm elections.
On The Hill: September 06, 2026
On The Hill, a weekly politics show featuring FOX 5's Tom Fitzgerald, is a staple of Sunday morning political talk in Washington, D.C.
On The Hill, a weekly politics show featuring FOX 5's Tom Fitzgerald, is a staple of Sunday morning political talk in Washington, D.C.
White House launches video game website promoting Trump's agenda
The White House has launched five retro computer games promoting President Donald Trump’s agenda, including a “Tetris" knockoff to “protect the border from the coming horde."
The White House has launched five retro computer games promoting President Donald Trump’s agenda, including a “Tetris" knockoff to “protect the border from the coming horde."
Court allows Md. redistricting vote to proceed, but rewrites the question
Del. Matt Morgan (R), who heads up the Maryland Freedom Caucus, joins Jim Lokay on "The Final 5" to react to Thursday's ruling by the Md. Supreme Court allowing a redistricting referendum to move forward in November, but with court-authored changes.
Del. Matt Morgan (R), who heads up the Maryland Freedom Caucus, joins Jim Lokay on "The Final 5" to react to Thursday's ruling by the Md. Supreme Court allowing a redistricting referendum to move forward in November, but with court-authored changes.
August jobs beat expectations, but experts warn not to read too much into one report
On "The Final 5" with Jim Lokay, Sean Higgins, a research fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, discussed the August jobs report showing roughly 162,000 jobs added, including a notable bump in bars and restaurants — a gain Higgins attributed partly to people getting in a "last fling" before summer ends. This came after July's initial jobs number was revised from a loss to a gain, raising questions about the reliability of the data.
On "The Final 5" with Jim Lokay, Sean Higgins, a research fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, discussed the August jobs report showing roughly 162,000 jobs added, including a notable bump in bars and restaurants — a gain Higgins attributed partly to people getting in a "last fling" before summer ends. This came after July's initial jobs number was revised from a loss to a gain, raising questions about the reliability of the data.
New USDA rule could force thousands of convenience stores to stop accepting food stamps
Thousands of convenience stores in the U.S. could have to stop accepting food stamps unless the federal government delays a new rule requiring them to carry more fresh produce and protein.
Thousands of convenience stores in the U.S. could have to stop accepting food stamps unless the federal government delays a new rule requiring them to carry more fresh produce and protein.
Ohio case highlights toll on immigrant students
On "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay," Alejandra Vasquez Bauer, a director of policy, advocacy, and partnerships for immigrant students, discussed the case of Pierre Dumas Bell, a 20-year-old Ohio college student whose family says he became despondent after losing immigration protections and being required to wear an electronic monitor, using the case to illustrate how the loss of Temporary Protected Status and broader immigration enforcement can affect young people's mental health and academic performance
On "The Final 5 with Jim Lokay," Alejandra Vasquez Bauer, a director of policy, advocacy, and partnerships for immigrant students, discussed the case of Pierre Dumas Bell, a 20-year-old Ohio college student whose family says he became despondent after losing immigration protections and being required to wear an electronic monitor, using the case to illustrate how the loss of Temporary Protected Status and broader immigration enforcement can affect young people's mental health and academic performance