Investor Kevin O'Leary thinks President Donald Trump might be taking a premature victory lap. On Friday, the "Shark Tank" star weighed in on Trump's economic messaging, suggesting the president has kicked off an unusually early campaign-style effort ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Policy Over Politics
In a post on X sharing a clip from his CNN appearance, O'Leary made his position clear: "I don't shill for politicians, but I shill for policy." He's not endorsing candidates, he says—he's focused on outcomes.
Still, O'Leary observed that Trump is already "on the road" pitching his economic record for the midterms, even though some major consumer pain points remain unresolved.
Inflation Has Cooled, But Grocery Bills Haven't
Sure, inflation has dropped significantly from its peak. But O'Leary points out that voters are still feeling the squeeze in their everyday spending. Rising costs are especially visible in food, protein, and consumer services—making it tough for politicians to convince households that everything's back to normal.
He cautioned that declaring victory too early risks repeating a mistake made by the Joe Biden administration, which struggled to align rosy economic data with what voters were actually experiencing at the checkout line.
The Tariff Problem Nobody's Talking About
O'Leary called out tariffs as an underappreciated driver of inflation. He specifically cited duties on inputs like potash, bauxite, and softwood lumber. These policies raise costs for farmers, manufacturers, and builders, which eventually show up as higher prices for everyone else.
Housing remains a major concern, he added, noting that tariffs on softwood lumber continue to weigh on construction costs. While these policy details might not dominate public debate, O'Leary said they directly affect inflation and affordability in ways voters absolutely notice.
Markets Look Great, But Politics Are Messier
From an investor's perspective, things look pretty good. O'Leary noted that U.S. equities remain close to record levels, signaling confidence in the American economy. But here's the catch: markets and voters don't always move in sync.
O'Leary suggested that policy adjustments—and potential changes within Trump's Cabinet early next year—will matter more than optimistic messaging as Republicans look to defend their narrow control of Congress.
Trump's Core Issues Are Losing Steam
Trump rode voter anxiety over the economy, crime, and immigration back to the White House last year. But replicating that success may prove harder this time around.
Republicans have suffered a string of recent losses, including a Democratic victory in Miami's mayoral race—the first in three decades—and a flipped special election in a historically Republican Georgia district. Trump has also shown limits to his influence within the party, failing to secure support for a new congressional map in Indiana.
The polling data tells a similar story. Just 31% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's handling of the economy, down from 40% in March, according to The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll. His approval ratings on crime and immigration have also slipped.
So while the stock market might be celebrating, the political landscape heading into 2026 looks considerably more uncertain. And as O'Leary suggests, no amount of early campaigning can paper over the fact that voters are still dealing with real financial pressure in their daily lives.