Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Trump Economic Approval Hits Low as Voters Blame Policies
Many Americans say everyday expenses such as food and gasoline have become harder to afford.
A poll found that only 26% approve of President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy.
Even fewer, 17%, approve of his handling of the cost of living.
About 65% said Trump’s policies were more responsible for high prices than things outside his control.
Some Republicans also disapprove of how he is handling living costs.
Other polls similarly found that many people think Trump’s policies have hurt the economy.
People are also unhappy with his handling of tariffs and the war with Iran.
Surveys show that economic worries may influence voters in upcoming elections.
An AP-NORC poll found 26% approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, while 17% approve of his handling of the cost of living.
About 65% of Americans said Trump’s policies were more responsible for high costs than factors outside his control.
Roughly half of adults expressed serious concern about affording gasoline and food, with gasoline concern rising from 39% in July.
Other surveys also found economic dissatisfaction, including 55% saying Trump’s policies had hurt the economy in an NBC News poll.
Economic concerns are prominent among Asian American voters, while Indian-American voters in one survey favored Democratic candidates over Republicans.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, U.S. adults, and voters surveyed by AP-NORC, Marquette Law School, NBC News, and Asian American voter organizations.
- What
- Polls show declining approval of Trump’s economic and cost-of-living performance, with many Americans blaming his policies for high prices.
- When
- The AP-NORC poll was conducted September 24–28; other surveys were conducted or released between March and September, while the AAPI survey was conducted June 3–July 27 and released August 26.
- Where
- The surveys covered the United States, including Asian American and Indian-American voters.
- Why
- Persistent concerns about food, gasoline, inflation, tariffs, and household finances are shaping views of Trump’s administration and the upcoming elections.
Critics and dissatisfied voters
Trump administration and supporters
Who is responsible for high prices?
Critics and dissatisfied voters
Critics and 65% of Americans surveyed said Trump’s policies were more responsible for persistently high costs than factors outside his control.
Trump administration and supporters
The administration has defended tariffs, domestic production, and other economic measures as ways to strengthen the U.S. economy; 67% of Republicans in the AP-NORC poll said outside factors were more responsible for high prices.
Economic performance
Critics and dissatisfied voters
Many voters said Trump’s policies had hurt the economy, and approval of his economic performance fell in multiple polls.
Trump administration and supporters
Trump campaigned on lowering prices, and supporters may attribute economic difficulties to factors outside his control rather than his policies.
Tariffs and trade
Critics and dissatisfied voters
About 64% of Americans said Trump had gone too far with new tariffs, and only about three in 10 approved of his trade negotiations.
Trump administration and supporters
The administration has defended its trade policies as part of a broader effort to strengthen the U.S. economy.
- AP-NORC economy approval
- 26% of U.S. adults approved of Trump’s handling of the economy.
- AP-NORC cost-of-living approval
- 17% approved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living.
- Responsibility for high costs
- 65% said Trump’s policies were more responsible for high costs than factors outside his control.
- Gasoline and food concerns
- About half of adults were extremely or very concerned about affording gasoline and food.
- Tariff opposition
- 64% said Trump had gone too far in imposing new tariffs.
- NBC economic assessment
- 55% said Trump’s policies had hurt the U.S. economy, while 26% said they had helped it.
- Indian-American voter preference
- In the cited AAPI survey, 66% favored Democratic Senate candidates and 22% favored Republicans.