Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) on Monday criticized the GOP’s messaging ahead of the midterms. “I say this sadly as a lifelong Republican: My party is so dedicated to being inarticulate," Gingrich told radio hosts Rita Cosby and John Catsimatidis on WABC’s “Cats & Cosby," adding that there's "lots of things we're doing that are good."

The former speaker cited pharmaceutical prices dropping for the "first time, I think, in 60 years," telling the hosts that "you would think they could figure out how to communicate that so people would say, ‘Gee, at least we’re moving in the right direction.'" Gingrich’s comments came amid a rough electoral environment for the GOP, with Election Day only two weeks out and recent polling leaning Democrats’ way. Republicans are being weighed down by issues including the Iran war, concerns about the cost of living and President Trump’s approval rating. Per a polling average from Decision Desk HQ, Trump’s approval rating was sitting at 38.6 percent on Tuesday afternoon, with his disapproval rating at 59.8 percent.

Energy costs are also a key issue in the 2026 midterms, as the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the oil industry, has been closed amid the U.S. war against Iran. The conflict has driven up oil and gas prices, with the average price of a gallon of regular gas in the U.S. on Tuesday afternoon at about $4.28, according to AAA, with that same gallon costing about $3.04 last year.