Trump: My performance was 'poor' in explaining my economic record

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his performance “was very poor” in explaining his economic record, as his approval ratings decline amid rising gas prices, ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for November.

Trump made the remarks to a crowd of supporters at a White House event marking Hispanic Heritage Month, as he prepares to launch an intensive 32-day campaign to back Republican candidates before the November 3 elections, which will determine whether his party retains control of Congress.

Trump added that his performance “was very poor in explaining the good conditions of the country,” stressing that “the country is in the best shape it has ever been.”

He noted that the ruling party typically loses seats in Congress in the first elections following a presidential election, and urged his supporters to vote.

However, an increasing number of American voters are giving Trump low ratings in public opinion polls due to his management of the economy, which has been hurt by policies imposing tariffs and the war on Iran, leading to a sharp rise in energy prices.

The Conference Board reported on Tuesday that US consumer confidence fell in September to its lowest level in nearly 12 and a half years, as households expect a deterioration in business conditions and the labor market over the next six months.

Consumers are feeling pessimistic about the labor market despite job growth accelerating in August after the market slowed for much of the summer. Home prices have also risen, adding to pressures from higher mortgage rates.

Trump is heading to Texas and Oklahoma on Thursday and plans to visit Alabama on Friday and Ohio on Saturday.