Trump's lack of focus on economy is spooking Republicans as 2026 election looms

trump has been posting about a triumphal arch, ballroom construction, the iran war, a ufc fight, and bruce springsteen's alleged plastic surgery — but not much about the economy. over four days earlier this month, he also shared an ai-generated photo of himself as jesus and attacked pope leo xiv. republicans are worried with the 2026 election six months away. cnbc's all-america economic survey for q1 2026 found 60% of respondents disapprove of trump's handling of the economy. gas prices are 27% higher than a year ago, per aaa. trump recently called them "not very high" and called affordability a "democratic hoax." former republican strategist mike murphy said trump "lost his franchise of the economy." thirty-eight house republicans have announced they won't seek reelection, compared to 23 democrats. rep. don bacon, retiring at term's end, cited "self-inflicted wounds" like threatening canada and greenland. white house spokesperson kush desai said trump "can walk and chew gum at the same time," pointing to executive orders on housing and tax refund checks from the one big beautiful bill act.