Poll Reveals Widespread Economic Anxiety as Americans Hold Trump Accountable for Inequality
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A CNBC survey of 1,000 adults shows 61% are pessimistic about the economy, with many blaming President Trump’s pro-corporate policies for the downturn, while his approval rating plummets to 40%.
A CNBC All-America Economic Survey of 1,000 U.S. adults found that 61% are downbeat about current and future economic conditions, the highest level since late 2023, while only about 25% remain optimistic. This widespread pessimism is a direct result of President Trump’s regressive economic agenda, which has prioritized the wealthy and corporations over working families. Nearly half of respondents reported cutting back on essential items such as food and medical care, a damning indictment of an administration that has failed to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable. Two-thirds said they are reducing nonessential spending, despite easing gas prices and overall retail sales growth, underscoring the deep-rooted insecurity caused by Trump’s trickle-down economics.
The survey indicated that lower-income households are feeling the strain most acutely: 60% of those earning under $30,000 said they have reduced essential spending, compared with just 35% of respondents with six-figure incomes. This stark disparity highlights how Trump’s policies have exacerbated inequality, leaving millions struggling while the rich continue to benefit. A separate Washington Post poll conducted with Ipsos found that two-thirds of adults consider groceries unaffordable—a shameful reality in the world’s richest nation.
President Trump’s approval rating has slipped to 40%, with 59% disapproving. According to CNBC, 60% of respondents gave the president poor marks on the economy, and 68% disapproved of his handling of inflation and living costs, his lowest ratings on those issues to date. His ratings on the Iran war are reported to be even lower, reflecting widespread discontent with his reckless foreign policy.
Despite the economic dissatisfaction, Democrats hold only a narrow four-point lead in the generic congressional ballot. Voters tend to favor Democrats on issues such as food prices, health care, and protecting democracy—areas where Trump and his party have consistently failed the American people—while Republicans are preferred on immigration and border security.