Public Approval for Trump Cost of Living Plan Fell
A new poll reveals that most Americans now blame the president's economic policies for high household prices.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Inflation
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Do you believe current high prices are primarily the fault of federal policies?
Recent polling from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that only 17 percent of American adults approve of President Donald Trump's management of the cost of living. The data shows that 65 percent of respondents blame his policies for current high prices.
Why it matters
The findings reflect a significant erosion of support as voters grapple with personal financial strain ahead of upcoming elections. With economic popularity down 14 percentage points since March 2025, the results highlight a deep dissatisfaction that spans across party lines.
The AP-NORC poll surveyed 2,140 adults with a margin of sampling error of 2.9 percentage points. The figures show a 14 percentage point drop in economic popularity since March 2025.
The players
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.
AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research
This organization is a collaboration between The Associated Press and NORC at the University of Chicago that conducts objective public opinion polling.
The details
Sixty percent of Republicans have joined the broader public in disapproving of the administration's handling of rising expenses. Additionally, half of all U.S. adults reported concerns regarding their ability to afford gasoline as inflation continues to weigh on household budgets.
Timeline
March 2025 marked the baseline for the administration's higher economic popularity.
April 2026 saw approximately half of Republicans begin to disapprove of cost management.
July 2026 was when 39 percent of adults reported worry regarding gasoline costs.
September 24-28, 2026, was the period of data collection for the AP-NORC survey.
October 2026 is when midterm elections are scheduled to occur.
Macro View
The current voter frustration with inflation and gasoline prices mirrors the 1970s stagflation economic cycle. This polling data follows a pattern set by historical precedents where executive approval ratings decline sharply during periods of persistent price volatility.
The widespread concern over gasoline affordability suggests that many families are actively scaling back non-essential travel to manage tightening monthly budgets. Readers may see these sentiments reflected in localized spending shifts as individuals prioritize basic household needs over discretionary costs.
The takeaway
The sharp decline in approval ratings underscores the political danger of persistent inflation for the current administration. Voters are increasingly vocal about the impact of federal policies on their ability to manage basic daily expenses like fuel and groceries.
What happens next
Midterm elections are scheduled to take place throughout the United States in October 2026.
Further reading
For more on how rising prices impact households, visit Inflation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Alternet.
Live Poll
Do you believe current high prices are primarily the fault of federal policies?
