Trump Adviser Declares Himself ‘Campaigner in Chief’ for Inflation-Fighting Push Ahead of 2026 Midterms

Tim Murtaugh, senior adviser to President Donald Trump and founder of Line Drive Communications, stated on Saturday that the president plans to directly address voters in communities hardest hit by inflation ahead of the 2026 midterms, positioning himself as the “campaigner in chief” for economic issues.

Making the remarks during a segment on Saturday Report, Murtaugh highlighted Trump’s recent rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, as part of his strategy to emphasize progress on inflation and affordability. He predicted the president would be highly visible along the campaign trail as Republicans seek to strengthen their candidate pipeline next year.

Murtaugh identified energy and healthcare costs as central drivers of economic anxiety and a major vulnerability for Democrats. He blamed Biden-era policies targeting domestic energy production for exacerbating inflation, arguing that Democratic initiatives on affordability have been undermined by these measures.

“If you hear a Democrat discuss the affordability of anything produced using domestic energy or tied to health insurance costs,” Murtaugh said, “ask them why their policies made it so expensive.”

Additionally, he criticized Democratic-backed healthcare legislation, specifically the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, as having increased costs for consumers by benefiting health insurers.

The adviser urged Republicans to sharply contrast their positions on energy and healthcare as Trump intensifies his involvement in the 2026 presidential race.