Trump promises new $8 billion cash offer as he desperately tries to stop skyrocketing diesel costs with two weeks to midterms

Donald Trump has announced $8 billion in one-off payments to US farmers to help cover higher production costs, including diesel, during the harvest season. The plan comes as fuel prices climb and the midterm elections approach, with a closely contested Senate race in Kansas adding political significance.

The Agriculture Department will calculate payments using factors including expected crop losses, planted acreage, production costs and crop prices. US diesel reached a record $6.52 a gallon last month and was $6.32 on Tuesday, compared with $3.63 a year earlier. Trump also highlighted Kansas Senator Roger Marshall’s role in securing the relief; polls show Marshall and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton narrowly separated, with results within the margin of error.