President Donald Trump announces plans to build a $15 billion steel plant in Iowa on Monday, September 28, 2026. Bonnie Cash/Pool Via Cnp/CNP via ZUMA
“First of all, the polls are fake.”
When asked about competitive congressional races in Iowa, Donald Trump predictably dismissed Iowa Republicans’ lackluster polling numbers as “fake” and blamed Democrats for the high prices squeezing farmers and other businessmen across the state—even as the war in Iran has sparked soaring energy and fertilizer costs.
“I don’t know, I love Iowa,” Trump said during an Oval Office address announcing a new $15 billion steel plant in the state. “I’ve always been very strong with Iowa. There’s been some things that the Democrats have done that are very bad for our country.”
Meanwhile, one Iowa farmer stressed just how difficult the economy has become for small-business owners.
“Folks that have trucking businesses, they’re just bleeding money right now like crazy,” he said during an appearance on MSNOW. “Farmers are bleeding money like crazy. We need to get this problem resolved, and we need to get it resolved right away.”
Still, Trump appears unmoved by the economic warning signs, as prices climb and his poll numbers continue to slide.
“I got more votes than anybody in history during the last election,” said Trump. “I’m more popular now than I was then.”
