Frost blames Trump for rising grocery, utility and health costs in Florida midterm push
Source: MS NOW · All MS NOW reports
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Summary
The MS NOW interview with Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) discussed new NBC polling showing low Trump approval ratings among independents, young men, and Latino voters, and whether this could make Florida competitive for Democrats in the November 3, 2026 midterms. Frost argued voters are worse off due to broken promises on lowering grocery and utility costs and higher health care expenses, predicting wins for Democratic candidates including David Jolly for governor and Angie Nixon for Senate. The second half covered enthusiasm from a Bernie Sanders rally for Nixon, outreach to non-traditional voters, and the need for policies addressing working families on housing, education, and cost of living. Frost cited 60% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck and contrasted Democratic focus on working people versus Republican messaging.
Editorial Assessment
Frost accurately relayed recent NBC polling showing Trump's sliding support, particularly among Latinos (27-33% approval) and young men (~28%). Economic claims have partial support—grocery prices have risen overall since Trump took office in 2025, electricity rates are up ~4.4% year-over-year, and family health costs continue climbing to over $28,000 in premiums—but the segment overstated universality and ignored moderating grocery inflation (now 1.8% annually) and specific declines in items like eggs and dairy. Viewers miss context on external drivers such as the Iran conflict spiking energy prices and the cumulative effect of post-pandemic inflation. The interview's one-sided progressive framing and campaign-style promotion of Nixon and Jolly skew perception toward inevitable Democratic gains in a state where recent polls show the gubernatorial and Senate races still lean Republican. The "lied about everything" rhetoric is partisan hyperbole unsupported by granular data.
Key Moments
New NBC News polling shows Trump's approval at 21% among independents, 28% among men under 30, 31% among Latino voters
Numbers align closely with recent NBC/Telemundo and related polls showing ~27-33% among Latinos, 28% for young men, and low independent support.
Trump said he would bring down the cost of groceries; now two bags cost $100 and costs have not come down
Grocery prices up ~3.4% since Jan 2025 per CPI, but annual inflation slowed to 1.8% in Sep 2026 with some categories (eggs, dairy, beef) declining; cumulative rises from prior years factor in.
Trump said he would cut utility costs in half; costs are skyrocketing across the country
Electricity prices up ~4.4% year-over-year and residential rates rose from 17.57 to 18.16 cents/kWh; no evidence of halving promise, but "skyrocketing" overstates modest annual gains amid gasoline (+34%) and diesel spikes tied to Iran conflict.
People are paying more for health care that is worse than before; 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck
Employer family premiums rose to ~$28,300 with worker share up 9%; health spending projected to grow. Paycheck-to-paycheck self-reports vary widely (48-66% in 2026 surveys), down from 2025 peaks but still high; not solely attributable to Trump.
Bernie Sanders rally for Angie Nixon drew overflow crowds of hundreds, including Republicans and independents, signaling broad enthusiasm
Multiple reports confirm Sanders drew 2,000+ at Tampa, over 1,000 in Tallahassee/Gainesville with overflow; Nixon's progressive campaign has energized young and non-traditional voters.
Notable Concerns
- Hyperbolic generalization that Trump "lied about everything" without specific evidence for all claims
- Omission of moderating inflation trends and external factors like energy shocks from the Iran war
- Exclusive reliance on one Democratic lawmaker with no counter-perspectives or data on Republican policy impacts
Sources Consulted
- NBC News poll on Trump approval among Latinos and key groups
- US Grocery Inflation September 2026: Down to 1.8%
- Fact check: Trump lies again that grocery prices ‘have come way down’ this term
- Electric Power Monthly - Average Price of Electricity
- Prices for gasoline increased 34.2 percent over the year ended September 2026
- KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey 2026
- Bernie Sanders Rallies in Florida to Support Angie Nixon’s Senate Campaign
- Debt.com’s 2026 Budgeting Survey on paycheck to paycheck living
- UNF Poll: Donalds, Jolly in tight Florida governor race