Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Poll finds most Americans think Trump puts personal interests first
A poll of more than 2,000 US adults found that most think Trump has put personal financial interests first since returning to the White House in 2025.
The survey was conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in late September.
About six in 10 respondents said Trump was profiting from his presidency illegally or acting unethically, while around four in 10 said they believed he had done something illegal.
The poll records public views, not a legal finding about his financial activities.
Respondents were more likely to say Trump had given a lot of attention to his own businesses and those of friends and family than to the country or people like them.
The poll comes as Trump’s family business has expanded into cryptocurrency and made foreign real estate deals, and the administration has rejected claims of conflicts of interest.
The survey shows deep concern about whether he serves the public interest, but it does not say what action will follow.
A new AP-NORC poll finds that most US adults think Donald Trump has focused more on his personal financial interests than on helping the country since returning to the White House.
About six in 10 respondents say Trump is either illegally profiting from the presidency or acting unethically without breaking the law.
The poll found that 56% believe Trump has placed “a lot” of emphasis on his personal businesses, while about one-quarter say he has given that level of attention to the country as a whole.
The White House has rejected claims that Trump and his family are benefiting financially from his office, saying he acts in the country’s interests.
The poll measured public perceptions and did not establish whether any of Trump’s activities were illegal.
- Who
- US adults surveyed by AP-NORC, and President Donald Trump.
- What
- The poll found that most respondents think Trump has prioritised personal financial interests over helping the country. About six in 10 believe he is profiting illegally or acting unethically.
- When
- The survey was conducted in late September 2026 and released on October 13.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- The poll measured Americans’ views of Trump’s financial interests and conduct in office.
Poll respondents critical of Trump
White House
Priorities
Poll respondents critical of Trump
Most respondents said Trump had put substantial emphasis on his own businesses and less emphasis on the country or people like them.
White House
The White House says Trump acts in the interests of Americans.
Financial conduct
Poll respondents critical of Trump
About six in 10 respondents said Trump was illegally profiting from the presidency or acting unethically without breaking the law.
White House
The White House has rejected allegations that Trump and his family are benefiting financially from his office and says he has no conflicts of interest.
Trump returned to the White House.
Trump’s federal financial disclosure reported more than $1 billion from new cryptocurrency businesses.
AP-NORC surveyed more than 2,000 US adults.
The AP-NORC poll findings were released.
- Pollster
- The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research
- Survey size
- More than 2,000 US adults
- Personal businesses
- 56% said Trump placed “a lot” of emphasis on them
- Country as a whole
- About one-quarter said Trump gave it “a lot” of attention
- Illegal or unethical conduct
- About six in 10 respondents
- Foreign real estate deals
- Eight during Trump’s first year as president
What people are saying
His wealth increases, but the people in the country are just barely getting by.
I found out that nobody cared.
Sources
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