"Talk about it after the election"? Trump admits that high oil prices will be "held off until the midterms," putting pressure on the Republican Party's election prospects.

U.S. President Donald Trump expects that military conflict with Iran will continue until after the midterm elections in November, and that a significant drop in gasoline prices will not occur before then. This outlook may further exacerbate the political risks for the Republican Party in the election. Recently, the U.S.-Iran conflict in the Middle East has escalated again, increasing market concerns over the safety of energy transport through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing international benchmark Brent crude oil prices above $100 per barrel. When asked about the rising oil prices, Trump stated that prices will eventually fall, but it will be difficult to achieve that in the next two months. "I think it will take longer than the midterm elections," Trump told reporters before departing for Dallas to attend the Republican midterm conference. "Oil prices will drop significantly, and we will push them down. As for gasoline, we will bring it down to below $2 a gallon, but that will be after the midterm elections." According to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA), the current average gasoline price in the U.S. is hovering above $4.22 per gallon, making it one of the biggest political threats faced by Trump's Republican Party in the midterm elections. Voters consider the economy and cost of living as their top concerns, and polls show that voters give Trump low marks on both fronts. With less than two months until the November 3rd midterm elections, an August poll indicated that the cost of living has become the most pressing issue for American voters, with 47% of registered voters citing it as the most important factor in their voting decision; 71% of the public disapproves of Trump's handling of the cost-of-living issue. Trump's overall approval rating has dropped to a record low of 33% during his term; betting markets indicate a 90% probability that the Democrats will gain control of the House. The Republican Party's traditional advantage on economic issues is weakening the Democrats have led the Republicans for a month on the question of which party is more capable of handling economic problems, marking the first time in ten years. Republican campaign strategists admit that energy prices and tariffs are particularly severely impacting GOP candidates in key states like Michigan, Maine, and Iowa. Trump's coordination with Israel to launch military strikes on Iran at the end of February triggered global energy supply shocks, further increasing fuel prices. Trump has accused Iran of attempting to prolong the conflict without providing evidence, claiming that this would politically damage his party in the fall elections. "I believe the war will end immediately after the election, because Iran will no longer be able to sustain itself by then. They are eager to interfere in the elections to allow a group of weak people to come to power, thus letting Iran have nuclear weapons," he stated.