Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana urged President Donald Trump on Sunday to concentrate on affordability as the midterm elections approach, saying voters are likely to focus on the cost of living before casting their ballots in November. Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, the Republican lawmaker said the outcome in the midterms is likely to be close and called on the president to keep attention on household budgets.
Cost Of Living In Battleground States
Kennedy said he has recently campaigned in battleground states alongside Republican candidates and has heard concerns from residents about day-to-day expenses. He argued that voters, particularly parents, are worried about costs when they go to sleep at night, and that these worries are likely to shape how they view the election.
He added that many Americans are also concerned about Iran, even if they do not fully understand the policy details, and said the two issues are “linked” in voters’ minds.
Call For a Nationwide Iran Explanation
Kennedy said Trump should address the Iran conflict publicly in a nationwide message, or otherwise defer to senior officials such as the secretary of state or the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He said he would like Trump to deliver an address explaining why the US moved into Iran, how the administration plans to manage the campaign, and how the US expects to leave. Kennedy also referenced comments he made in July, when he said he would ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Gen. Dan Caine, or other officials, to explain developments in Iran to the public.
The senator said his influence over the president is limited, adding that Trump does not take instructions from him, but he said he intends to continue pressing the idea.
Sanctions, Blockade, and Strait Concerns
Kennedy’s remarks came as some Republican candidates in competitive races have recently distanced themselves from Trump’s approach to the conflict, calling for a quicker end to the fighting and highlighting the need to address high gas and diesel prices.
While largely defending Trump’s actions in Iran, Kennedy said Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart talks was not a serious offer. He argued that the US should continue existing measures, including sanctions and a blockade.
Kennedy said the immediate problem is that the strait is at least partially closed, which he said has pushed up oil prices. He added that oil costs are felt broadly, including at the pump, and described the impact as painful for consumers.
He said the US should either resolve the situation to reopen the strait or escalate, while noting that he would not support sending troops.
Public Ads and Building Naming Disputes
Kennedy also criticised a new advertising campaign promoting Trump, which he said is funded with taxpayer money. The ad has run on CBS and other networks, and Kennedy said no public official, including Trump, should use public funds to pay for personal political advertisements.
He previously questioned Kristi Noem, a former Homeland Security secretary, about her decision earlier this year to spend $220 million on an advertising campaign aimed at reducing illegal immigration, in which she appeared prominently. Kennedy said the questioning took place at a hearing held days before Noem’s ouster.
Finally, Kennedy commented on the dispute over the Kennedy Center, where Trump has sought to add his name. He said he would support a rule barring politicians from having buildings named after them while they are still alive, saying that could resolve much of the controversy.
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28 September 2026
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