But for the inflation, there would have been nothing to obfuscate how well the economy is actually doing, how beneficial the infrastructure project was, etc. Elections of late are decided by the undecided folks, and they could never get passed the inflation, it was too personal, and millions stayed home, or used the stupid logic that if it happened under Biden, Biden was the reason, therefore, Trump is the better choice. And Repubs disingenuously used the inflation as a cudgel to garner votes. They are good at lying, so they succeeded and the undecideds, i call them wishy washy, for anyone who didn't know whom to vote for until a few days of the election is wishy washy, but they decided the election ,and they are easily fooled, not sophisticated enough to make wise decisions about whom to vote for.