Trump is headed to Ohio and Kentucky to downplay Iran war's effect on U.S. economy

"Trump is backing a primary challenger to Massie. The trip presents a test of Trump's ability to cleanse his party of those who oppose him but also to try to stay on an economic message increasingly strained by the military action launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. He'll be "talking about the economy, which is, of course, the utmost importance to him," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said."

"Polls showed that Americans were increasingly wary of Trump's handling of the economy even before the conflict with Iran began, and fighting there has derailed Trump's messaging, as the low gas prices he once bragged about are now surging and stocks that had set record highs have slipped."

"Employers also cut an unexpectedly high 92,000 jobs in February, and revisions trimmed another 69,000 jobs from December and January payrolls - which the White House had previously hailed as "blockbuster." None of that has stopped Trump from continuing to insist the country is booming - and blaming the Democrats for everything else."

President Trump is conducting campaign visits to Ohio and Kentucky to advance his economic agenda and support a primary challenger against Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican who has opposed him. In Cincinnati, Trump will tour a pharmaceutical company to highlight prescription drug price reduction efforts, emphasizing affordability for voters before midterm elections. The trip tests Trump's ability to maintain party loyalty while managing economic messaging increasingly complicated by military actions against Iran. Recent economic data shows concerning trends: job cuts of 92,000 in February with additional revisions to prior months, rising gas prices reversing previous gains, and declining stock market performance. Despite these challenges, Trump continues asserting economic strength while attributing problems to Democrats.

Read at Fast Company