Poll Shows Voters Blaming Economic Pain on Trump

Most Americans don't feel good about the economy, a new poll shows, and they're largely pointing the finger at President Trump. A new CNBC All-America Economic Survey of 1,000 adults finds 61% are downbeat about current and future economic conditions, the highest share since late 2023. Just a quarter are optimistic. Nearly half say they've cut back on essentials like food and medical care, per CNBC, and two-thirds are trimming nonessential spending, even as gas prices ease and retail sales data show overall growth.

Lower-income Americans are feeling it most: 60% of those making under $30,000 report cutting essential spending, versus 35% of those earning six figures or more. And the Washington Post reported that its new poll conducted with Ipsos found that two-third of adults say groceries are unaffordable. At the same time, Trump's approval rating is sliding. It's now 40%, with 59% disapproving; 60% give the president poor marks on the economy, and 68% disapprove of his handling of inflation and living costs—his worst standing yet, per CNBC. Trump's ratings on the Iran war are even lower. Yet Democrats hold only a slim 4-point edge in the generic congressional ballot, suggesting a locked-in electorate. Voters give Democrats an advantage on food prices, health care, and "protecting democracy," while Republicans dominate on immigration and border security.