President Trump is trying to shore up support among rural voters who have been hit hard by the economic fallout from the war with Iran and tariffs.
Published June 5, 2026
During a visit to Wisconsin, President Donald Trump sought to reassure farmers who have been hit hard by tariffs and the economic fallout from the U.S.-Israel-Iran war.
Friday’s stop in Chippewa Falls for the agriculture roundtable comes months before the November midterm elections. President Trump was seeking to shore up support for Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who is a target of Democrats seeking to take control of Congress.
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Van Orden has worked closely with Trump and has long supported the president as the best leader for rural America. Democratic challenger Rebecca Cook has proven strong fundraising and is leading Van Orden in recent polls.
The Democratic Party is seen as the frontrunner to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives, which is currently held by Republicans, in the midterm elections.
“I love this place,” President Trump said of Wisconsin, adding, “I hope you all vote Republican, because frankly, the Republican Party — I call that the healthy way to do it.”
If Democrats succeed, the party will be able to significantly limit Trump’s policies in the final two years of his term.
The Wisconsin visit was aimed more broadly at consolidating support among farmers, who had largely supported the president in the 2024 election.
Farmers have been particularly hard hit by President Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, and many countries have responded by restricting imports of U.S. products, especially soybeans. Tariffs are also increasing import prices for items needed for daily operations.
The administration is trying to offset the impact with temporary support measures for farmers.
At the same time, fertilizer costs have soared since the United States and Israel began a war with Iran on February 28, with the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz raising prices for several key ingredients, including urea.
An April survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation found that 70% of U.S. farmers report being unable to meet all their fertilizer needs.
The average gas price this week was $4.04 per gallon, $1.08 higher than a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.
President Trump assured those gathered that his administration had “almost ended” the war “in some way.”
He asserted that fertilizer and gas prices will “go down significantly.”
The trip comes as several polls show President Trump’s overall approval rating hovers at an all-time low of about 40 percent or less.
Trump’s approval ratings on certain issues are low, with only 19% of respondents in a Marquette Law School poll conducted May 20-26 approving of his response to gas prices. Just 22% approved of his response to inflation and the cost of living.
Several Republican leaders have also warned that some of President Trump’s recent actions risk alienating voters concerned about the economy.
This includes a $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund launched by the Justice Department to reimburse individuals, including Trump supporters, who say they are victims of political prosecutions.
The Justice Department subsequently abandoned the plan.
President Trump also requested $1 billion in funding for controversial White House ballroom security, even though he previously said taxpayers would not have to pay for it.
