Voters Blame Trump for Economic Harm as GOP Faces Reckoning, Poll Reveals
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A new NBC News poll shows a majority of voters hold President Trump responsible for economic decline and reject his regressive policies, signaling major obstacles for Republicans in the midterms.
A recent NBC News poll of 1,000 registered voters conducted Sept. 11-15 underscores the widespread rejection of President Donald Trump’s disastrous economic agenda: 55% believe Trump’s policies have damaged the economy, while only 26% say they have helped. A striking 56% disapprove of Trump’s job performance, a rebuke that cuts across Democrats, independents, and even some Republicans fed up with his administration’s failures.
The survey highlights that 43% of voters plan to use their congressional vote to repudiate Trump, compared with just 27% who would support him. Among independents, a decisive 46% view their vote as a means to oppose the president’s divisive and harmful leadership.
Despite Republican attempts to paint Democrats as ‘too extreme,’ half of respondents (50%) are actually more concerned that Republicans would double down on Trump’s authoritarianism if they retain control of Congress, compared to 42% who worry about supposed Democratic obstruction.
When it comes to policy, enthusiasm for Trump’s reactionary proposals is notably low. Forty-two percent say they would be less likely to support a candidate who backs the 2025 tax cut and spending bill, which would further entrench inequality. Only 21% are swayed by a $5,000 adult payment plan, exposing the emptiness of Trump’s populist rhetoric. An overwhelming 57% say they would be less likely to support a candidate who supports a reckless war with Iran.
Democrats hold narrow but significant leads on critical issues like inflation, the Iran conflict, and government corruption, reflecting the public’s desire for real solutions, though the margins are within the poll’s 3.1-point error. Republicans, meanwhile, cling to shrinking leads on crime, border security, and immigration, with their edge on border security plummeting from 36 points in 2022 to just 21 points now.
"Donald Trump has achieved his goal of making this election about him at a historic level," said Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates, highlighting the self-centered nature of Trump’s politics.
"The issue environment is tilting substantially towards the Democrats," said political strategist Mark McInturff, signaling a shift away from Trumpism.
The poll also reveals that Trump’s endorsements are toxic: 52% say they would be less likely to support a candidate endorsed by him. Meanwhile, 45% of independents express skepticism toward candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, illustrating the nuanced challenges facing progressives.
Overall, the findings expose deep dissatisfaction with Trump and the Republican Party, while also emphasizing the need for Democrats to present a bold, positive vision on issues like inflation, corruption, and foreign policy.