Affordability Issues Epstein Files Create Pressure on Trump

President Donald Trump is facing increasing political pressure as concerns about rising living costs and renewed demands to release additional files from the Jeffrey Epstein case challenge his second-term agenda. The situation comes shortly after Democratic victories in recent state elections and ahead of the 2026 midterm campaigns, which will determine control of Congress. These developments have created a difficult moment for the president, who has previously maintained strong political dominance in Washington.

Trump has used his second term to reshape federal institutions, strengthen executive authority, deploy federal personnel in various cities, and initiate large-scale renovation projects at the White House. However, these actions have not resolved public dissatisfaction over economic affordability, even though current inflation levels remain lower than those under former President Joe Biden. Speaking at a McDonald’s-sponsored summit on Monday, Trump said inflation was now “normal” and expressed confidence that his administration would bring it down further.

The president is also limited by the constitutional restriction that prevents him from running for a third term. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie highlighted this reality on Sunday while urging lawmakers to support legislation requiring the Justice Department to release more documents from the Epstein case. Massie warned that in future elections Trump would not be able to shield lawmakers from political consequences if they vote against transparency. Epstein, who died by suicide years ago, was a convicted sex offender with connections to high-profile individuals, making the case a continuing subject of public interest.

Trump initially opposed the House bill to release the Epstein files, describing it as an extension of past investigations against him. However, on Sunday he reversed his position and announced his support, saying it was time to move forward. The shift signaled a rare loss for Trump within a Republican-controlled Congress, where lawmakers have usually avoided challenging his authority.

At the same time, Trump is working to strengthen Republican prospects in the upcoming midterms. He has urged state leaders to redraw congressional districts in ways that could help maintain a GOP majority in the House. He criticized Indiana Republicans on Monday and threatened to endorse primary challengers against lawmakers who do not back redistricting proposals that favor his party. On social media he wrote, “We must keep the Majority at all costs.”

Economic concerns remain central to the challenges Trump faces. The president acknowledged on Sunday that consumer costs are “a little bit higher,” prompting his administration to partially retreat from some tariffs, a key component of his economic strategy. Tariffs have been reduced on imported products such as coffee, beef and tropical fruit, an indication that the administration recognizes their role in pushing up prices. Trump has also proposed giving Americans a $2,000 dividend funded by tariff revenue, excluding high-income households. However, experts note that Congress may resist this plan due to federal debt concerns and the risk of further inflation.

Despite these challenges, Trump expressed optimism about the economy during his remarks at the summit, stating that the country was “doing well.” However, recent Democratic victories in states such as New Jersey and Virginia signal dissatisfaction among voters. Republican pollster Neil Newhouse said the scale of the Democratic wins was significant and warned that Republicans could repeat the mistakes of the Biden administration by failing to address voters’ lived experiences with rising prices. He said that unless people notice changes in grocery store costs, political messaging alone will not be convincing.

The combination of affordability concerns, internal Republican divisions over the Epstein documents, and recent electoral setbacks presents a complex environment for Trump as he enters a critical phase of his second presidency. Analysts note that the administration’s response to these issues will play a major role in shaping the political landscape heading into the midterm elections.