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Trump blamed for lousy economy, approval at new low
The Associated Press interviewed voters who supported Trump but now question his economic record.
Based on reporting by the Associated Press
A new national poll finds growing frustration among Americans about the cost of living and President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy, with even many Republicans expressing disappointment that his second administration has failed to deliver the economic relief he promised.
According to a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, only 26% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, his lowest rating on the issue. Approval of his handling of the cost of living is even lower, at 17%. Both figures reflect mounting dissatisfaction with a president who campaigned heavily on bringing down prices.
The poll’s most striking finding is that 65% of Americans blame Trump’s policies, rather than factors outside his control, for persistently high prices. Roughly seven in 10 say his handling of the cost of living has been worse than expected.
Households are particularly concerned about basic necessities. About half of Americans say they are extremely or very worried about affording groceries and gasoline. Concern about filling their gas tanks rose from 39% in July to about 50%, reflecting mounting pressure on family budgets.
The Associated Press interviewed voters who supported Trump but now question his economic record. A retired Pennsylvania factory worker said the president had not delivered the improvements he had hoped for. A California law enforcement worker who voted for Trump said rising fuel and other expenses had consumed the disposable income his family once enjoyed.
The discontent extends well into Republican ranks. About half of Republicans say Trump’s handling of the cost of living has been worse than expected, and roughly six in 10 disapprove of his performance on the issue. Nevertheless, 67% of Republicans continue to blame factors outside the president’s control, rather than his own policies, for high prices.
Trump’s economic difficulties coincide with growing opposition to two central elements of his foreign and economic agendas: the war with Iran and his tariffs on foreign goods. Only 28% of Americans approve of his handling of Iran, and 69% say the war has not been worth fighting. Meanwhile, only about three in 10 approve of his trade negotiations, and 64% believe he has gone too far in imposing tariffs.
The poll also offers a revealing comparison with former President Joe Biden. In October 2022, amid the inflation surge following the COVID-19 pandemic, 44% of Americans blamed Biden’s policies for high prices, while 55% attributed them primarily to factors beyond his control. Today, a larger share directly blames Trump’s policies.
Overall, only about three in 10 Americans approve of Trump’s performance as president, and about six in 10 believe the country is worse off than when he began his second term. Border security remains a relative area of strength, with about half approving of his performance.
The findings come just weeks before the November midterm elections, when economic concerns could influence voters’ decisions on control of Congress.
The bottom line: The poll documents a widening gap between Trump’s promises of economic relief and many Americans’ everyday experience with rising costs. Although Republicans remain more inclined to blame external factors, dissatisfaction has spread beyond the president’s political opposition.
