A CBS News poll reveals widespread economic anxiety and dissatisfaction with President Trump’s economic policies.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A recent CBS News poll indicates that 65 percent of Americans believe President Donald J. Trump’s policies are making the U.S. economy worse in the short term, and 50 percent believe they are making the U.S. economy worse over the long term. This compares with 13 percent who believe the President is making the economy better in the short term and 29 percent who believe he is making it better over the long term. 📰 DETAIL: The poll of 2,064 U.S. adults, interviewed from May 13-15, highlights that three-quarters of Americans feel their incomes are not keeping pace with inflation, and 65 percent describe the economy as “uncertain.” Sixty-three percent regard the economy as “struggling,” against just 12 percent who believe it is “rebounding.” Concerns are high over rising gas prices and geopolitical tensions, particularly iin relation to Iran. Pluralities believe the Iran war has not been militarily or strategically successful, and an outright majority believe it has not been economically successful. 🎯 IMPACT: These economic concerns have led to a decline in President Trump’s approval ratings, particularly regarding his handling of inflation. Even among Republicans, there is a notable drop in support for his economic policies, including an 11 percent drop in approval of his handling of inflation since March. Republican approval of his handling of inflation is now over 20 points behind Republican approval of his handling of immigration and his presidency overall. This perception that the economy is being mishandled may hurt the Republicans heading into the November midterms, although neither the GOP nor the Democratic Party is viewed favorably in terms of addressing the cost of living, with a significant portion of the population feeling that neither side is offering viable solutions. |
CBS Poll: % who say US economy is good
🟢 Oct 1998: 85% (highest)
🟤 Oct 2002: 42%
🔴 Oct 2008: 8% (lowest)
🟡 Oct 2014: 40%
🟢 Oct 2018: 70%
🟡 Oct 2020: 49%
🔴 Oct 2022: 33%
🔴 May 2026: 29% pic.twitter.com/1XlBnoL8rn— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) May 17, 2026
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