# Donald Trump has been a disaster for rural America | Steven Greenhouse

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/donald-trump-has-been-a-disaster-for-rural-america-steven-greenhouse/
- Published: 2026-10-26T12:00:40+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T22:33:43+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/oct/26/donald-trump-policy-disaster-rural-america
- Topics: Business, Geopolitics, Government, Politics

## Key points

- Rising costs and trade disputes are hurting farmers.
- Farm bankruptcies are up 85% in two years.
- Rural support for Republican candidates has fallen.

## Summary

Donald Trump’s policies are putting pressure on farmers and rural communities, contributing to economic hardship and weakening Republican Senate candidates’ prospects in several heavily Republican states. The article argues that higher farming costs, reduced exports and cuts to public services have left some rural voters feeling betrayed by promises Trump made in 2024.

Diesel rose from an average of $3.75 a gallon before the Iran war to a late-September peak of $6.52, while farm bankruptcies have increased by 85% compared with two years ago. The article also cites trade-related export losses, rising fertiliser and equipment costs, and projected Medicaid cuts that could leave 1.8 million rural Americans without health insurance; a poll found 49% of rural voters support Republican candidates this autumn, down from nearly two-thirds backing Trump in 2024.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.