Iowa Voters Turning on Trump Over Cost of Living, Journalist Says
Iowa farmers and young voters are growing frustrated with President Donald Trump as the cost-of-living crisis continues to squeeze households across the state, according to veteran journalist Terry Moran.
Moran, a former ABC News correspondent who was let go by the network last year, recently traveled to Iowa to speak with voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. He shared his findings on The Daily Beast Podcast, describing a mood of deepening discontent among even the most loyal Republican voters.
What did Iowa voters tell the journalist about Trump's policies?
Moran said the cost of living is the dominant concern for Iowans, particularly those in agriculture. Farmers are facing soaring prices for diesel and fertilizer, which threatens their bottom line in one of the nation's leading agricultural states.
“The cost of living is everywhere in the country, especially with farmers. They're now gonna get it even worse given the fact that there's no end in sight, that Iran is emboldened, and that the price of diesel continually goes up,” Moran said.
He noted that even “staunch Republican farmers” understand exactly why their input costs have skyrocketed, and they are bracing for significant financial losses.
“They understood why diesel is as high as it is, why fertilizer is as high as it is, why it's gonna mean a loss for them, not a total loss, but they're gonna get creamed by the Trump inflation,” Moran said.
How are young Iowans reacting to the affordability crisis?
Younger voters are also feeling the pinch, Moran said, with many seeing little hope of buying a home or even staying in Iowa as the state becomes increasingly expensive.
“People in all walks of life are getting it bad. Talk to young people, they have no possibility of buying a home or even remaining in Iowa, which has become an expensive state for a lot of young people,” Moran said. “And that combination has made people deeply frustrated and angry at Trump.”
When asked whether young voters directly tie affordability problems to the president, Moran was unequivocal: “100 percent.”
Why do Iowa voters hold Trump responsible for high prices?
Moran explained that Iowans view the presidency as a job they hired Trump to do, and they believe he has failed on his core promise to make life more affordable.
“They hired Trump for a job, and it was very clear what the job was: reduce the cost of living, make the country more affordable, reopen the possibilities for young people in particular to get a start in life, to start a family, to get a decent job, to find a place to live,” Moran said. “He is responsible; there's no question about it. People are not happy with him.”
What does this mean for Republicans in the 2026 midterms?
Moran suggested the frustration could prove disastrous for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections, as economic concerns cut across party lines and generational divides.
The administration has attempted to blame the war in Ukraine for rising energy prices, but Moran said that argument is not resonating with voters.
“The administration is trying to blame Ukraine for its war with Russia, which has damaged Russia's energy exports,” Moran said, adding that the administration isn't “fooling anybody.”
With Iowa's agricultural economy heavily dependent on affordable fuel and fertilizer, and young people struggling to establish themselves, the cost-of-living issue is shaping up to be a defining factor in the state's 2026 elections.
Frequently asked questions about Iowa voters and the cost of living
Are Iowa farmers blaming Trump for high diesel and fertilizer prices?
According to journalist Terry Moran, even staunch Republican farmers in Iowa understand that Trump's policies have contributed to soaring diesel and fertilizer costs, and they expect significant financial losses as a result.
How do young voters in Iowa view the affordability crisis?
Moran said young Iowans are deeply frustrated, with many unable to afford homes or considering leaving the state. He said they “100 percent” tie their affordability problems directly to Trump.
Could the cost-of-living crisis hurt Republicans in Iowa's 2026 midterms?
Moran believes it could, noting that economic frustration is widespread across all walks of life in Iowa and that voters are holding Trump responsible for failing to deliver on his promise to reduce costs.