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Priebus: Trump ‘Cranky’ Over GOP Messaging as Affordability Concerns Mount

11:15 PM, 12/07/2025

Reince Priebus said President Trump is frustrated with Republican messaging on affordability and impatient for clearer economic improvement. Priebus told ABC’s This Week that GOP communication "isn’t where it needs to be," and that the party is being "hammered" on household cost concerns. BLS data show consumer prices rose about 3.0% year‑over‑year in September, with food up 3.1% and energy up 2.8%. Decision Desk HQ polling averages put the president’s approval at 42.7% and disapproval at 53.3%.

Priebus: Trump Frustrated With GOP Messaging On Affordability

Reince Priebus, former White House chief of staff to President Donald Trump, told ABC News’s This Week on Sunday that the president is irritated by how Republicans are communicating about affordability and impatient for the economy to show clearer signs of improvement.

“What he’s cranky about is the fact that some of the messaging, I think, on the Republican side isn’t where it needs to be,” Priebus said. “It’s going to take some time for [the economy] to come around… they’re getting hammered on affordability, it’s making him cranky.”

The administration has faced criticism — including from some of the president’s own supporters and GOP lawmakers — over its handling of household economic concerns. Since returning to office, Mr. Trump has pursued broad tariffs and signed a tax-and-budget bill in July as part of his economic agenda.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of September consumer prices were up about 3.0% year‑over‑year; food prices rose 3.1% and energy prices increased 2.8%. Analysts say some businesses have passed a portion of tariff-related costs on to consumers, contributing to affordability pressures.

Democrats highlighted affordability in recent elections — notably the gubernatorial contests in Virginia and New Jersey and the New York City mayoral race — while the president has pushed back, calling Democratic messaging a “con job” and blaming former President Joe Biden for fueling cost-of-living concerns.

Polling: Decision Desk HQ averages show the president’s approval at 42.7% and disapproval at 53.3%.

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