Sen. Kennedy urges Trump to focus on affordability, address nation on Iran ahead of midterm elections

Updated on: September 27, 2026 / 2:42 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — GOP Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana on Sunday urged President Trump to focus on affordability as the midterm elections approach, stressing that Americans will be most concerned about the cost of living as they head to the ballot box in November.

The midterm elections are "going to be close," Kennedy said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan." "It would help if the president would stay focused on cost of living."

Kennedy cited his recent visits to battleground states, where he's stumped with GOP candidates, saying, "When moms and dads lie down to sleep at night and can't," they're "worried about the cost of living."

"And they're a little worried about Iran because they don't understand why, but they know the two are inextricably linked," Kennedy said. "And we've got to be straight up and address those things."

The Louisiana Republican said he wants the president to address the nation on the Iran war, or defer to the secretary of state or chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"I would like to see him give a nationwide address or let [Secretary of State Marco] Rubio…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/