Former Arizona Senator Jeff Flake sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Friday, accusing him of being "completely out of touch" with Americans' economic concerns during an appearance on CNN's "OutFront." Flake, a Republican known for his frequent clashes with Trump, highlighted what he sees as the president's disconnect from rising prices and the broader affordability crisis facing the nation.
The comments came amid ongoing debates about the U.S. economy, where inflation and tariff policies have become flashpoints in political discourse. Flake, who served in the Senate from 2013 to 2019, pointed to Trump's recent statements downplaying economic hardships, suggesting they fail to resonate with everyday experiences. "The president may not want to talk about the affordability crisis, but he’s going to have to," Flake said during the interview with host Erin Burnett.
Flake elaborated on his views, drawing a parallel between the current Republican challenges and those faced by Democrats in the 2024 election cycle. He argued that Trump's optimistic portrayal of the economy ignores persistent high prices that Americans continue to grapple with. "It certainly seems out of touch. I mean, the notion that you know, prices are down everywhere, they really aren’t and people know that," Flake stated. He added, "And that was the problem like I said, that the Democrats had had in 24 and Republicans have it now."
Burnett pressed Flake on whether Trump's political resilience might shield him from such criticisms, noting the president's history of defying political gravity. "I mean, senator, do you think that in this case, the way things usually go is the way they will continue to go? I mean if there’s anybody who has defied gravity politically more consistently than President Trump I don’t know who it is," she said. Flake acknowledged Trump's unique staying power but distinguished it from the fortunes of his imitators.
"Oh, yes, certainly but those who mimic him, his imitators have not done well," Flake responded. He turned to his home state of Arizona as a prime example, describing it as a traditionally red state that has shifted under the influence of Trump-style politics. Arizona, with its population of over 7 million and a history of Republican dominance, elected a Democratic governor, Katie Hobbs, in 2022, along with two Democratic senators, Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema (who later became an independent but caucuses with Democrats). The state also has a Democratic attorney general and secretary of state.
Flake attributed these shifts to Republicans who have tried to emulate Trump's approach but failed to connect with voters. "Look, just right here in Arizona, this is a red state and we have a Democratic governor, two Democratic senators, Democrat attorney general, Democrat secretary of state and it’s all because of those who try to imitate the president don’t do it very well," he explained. This political transformation in Arizona, a key battleground state that Trump won in 2016 but lost to Joe Biden in 2020, underscores broader tensions within the Republican Party.
Beyond state-level politics, Flake zeroed in on economic policies, particularly Trump's advocacy for tariffs. The president has proposed broad tariffs on imports, including a 10% to 20% levy on goods from various countries, as part of his "America First" agenda. These measures, aimed at protecting domestic industries, have drawn criticism from economists who warn of inflationary effects. Flake, echoing traditional Republican free-trade principles, called tariffs "inflationary." "That is a Republican article of faith," he said, referring to the long-held GOP stance against protectionist policies.
"And so, yeah, you’re going to see a great migration here. It’s already starting, and it will accelerate because the Republican Party and the president seem completely out of touch with where the economy is, particularly the effect of tariffs. Tariffs are inflationary. That is a Republican article of faith. And you’ll see a lot of Republicans starting to migrate back to the new, old ground, where we used to reside."
Flake's remarks reflect his own history as a vocal Trump critic. During his time in the Senate, Flake often broke ranks with the president, notably voting against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act in 2017 and delivering a scathing retirement speech in 2018 where he decried the erosion of political norms. After leaving office, Flake endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 election and has continued to advocate for a return to what he views as traditional conservative values. His comments on CNN come at a time when inflation, though cooling from its 2022 peak of 9.1%, remains a concern, with the consumer price index rising 3.7% year-over-year as of September 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Trump, for his part, has maintained that the economy is thriving under his influence, pointing to stock market gains and low unemployment rates. The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit record highs in late 2023, and unemployment stood at 3.8% in October 2023, per Labor Department data. However, public opinion polls show persistent dissatisfaction with economic conditions; a Gallup poll from October 2023 found that only 39% of Americans rated the economy as excellent or good, down from previous years.
In Arizona specifically, economic issues like housing affordability and border trade have amplified these national debates. The state's proximity to Mexico makes tariffs particularly relevant, as cross-border commerce supports thousands of jobs. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Arizona's exports to Mexico totaled $8.5 billion in 2022, and any tariff hikes could disrupt this flow. Flake's prediction of a "great migration" back to traditional Republican ground suggests he anticipates defections from Trump's wing of the party, potentially reshaping the GOP ahead of future elections.
While Flake's views represent a faction of anti-Trump Republicans, they contrast with the enthusiasm among Trump's base. Supporters often credit the president with economic recoveries post-COVID, citing policies like tax cuts from his first term. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which reduced corporate tax rates from 35% to 21%, is frequently hailed by Trump allies as a boon to growth. Yet critics, including some economists, argue that such measures contributed to income inequality, with the top 1% capturing a disproportionate share of benefits, according to analyses from the Tax Policy Center.
As the 2024 election aftermath lingers, Flake's comments highlight fractures within the Republican Party. Arizona's recent elections, including the 2022 midterm where Trump-backed candidates like Kari Lake lost the gubernatorial race, lend credence to his observations. Lake, who echoed Trump's election denialism, was defeated by Hobbs by a margin of about 17,000 votes out of over 2.5 million cast.
Looking ahead, the implications of Flake's critique could influence Republican strategy on economic messaging. With midterm elections not until 2026 and the next presidential contest in 2028, party leaders may need to address voter concerns about affordability to regain ground in swing states. Flake's call for a return to pre-Trump conservatism could appeal to moderates, but it remains to be seen if it gains traction against Trump's enduring influence.
In the broader context, this episode underscores the ongoing evolution of American politics, where economic realities intersect with partisan identities. As tariffs and inflation debates heat up, figures like Flake serve as reminders of the GOP's internal debates, potentially setting the stage for shifts in party dynamics in the years to come.