A new Fox News poll indicates that nearly 75% of Americans see the current economic situation as merely fair or outright poor. Moreover, over 50% of respondents expressed discontent with President Donald Trump’s performance, a concerning trend leading into the upcoming midterm elections in 2026.
In a statement to Newsweek on Thursday, White House spokesperson Kush Desai remarked, “President Trump was overwhelmingly re-elected last year because, unlike Democrats, he recognized the economic challenges thrown at us by Joe Biden. Addressing the Biden-triggered inflation crisis has been a top priority from day one. While there’s still much to tackle, today’s better-than-expected inflation report shows that our administration’s strong economic policies are starting to yield positive results for Americans.”
Why It’s Important
This poll highlights a notable decline in public trust concerning Trump’s economic management—a crucial aspect of his political persona—just when his party approaches a major electoral test.
With persistent inflation and rising living costs, the GOP’s ability to unify and instill confidence among voters could heavily influence both Congressional legislative goals and the contest for control of the House and Senate.
Key Takeaways
The Fox News poll, surveying 1,001 registered voters from December 12 to 15, shows worrying trends for Trump regarding economic issues—one of his main talking points and top priorities.
Lately, only 44% of those surveyed approve of Trump’s presidential performance, while 56% disapprove. When it comes to economic management, a meager 39% expressed approval, contrasted by 61% who disapproved of his handling of economic matters.
A concerning 72% rated the economy as poor or merely fair, with just 28% offering more favorable opinions. Notably, 44% reported feeling financially worse off—an increase from 36% in June and rather similar to October 2024 statistics.
On Thursday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the November Consumer Price Index, revealing a 12-month inflation rate of 2.7%. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy fluctuations, also slowed down to 2.6%—the lowest rate observed since March 2021.
While Trump narrowly secured majority approval in terms of border security (51% approval vs. 49% disapproval), he failed to gain support in other areas such as healthcare, immigration, and government spending.
Overall, 59% of the survey respondents are dissatisfied with the country’s direction today, leaving just 41% feeling positive about the state of affairs.
A striking 90% of voters said they are greatly concerned about inflation and escalating costs, marking the highest level of concern over two years. The majority, 61%, expressed they are extremely worried—an increase from 48% in June.
This financial anxiety reflects voter sentiments regarding issues the president should prioritize, with high prices at the top of the list (42%).
Meanwhile, Republican Congress members have also shown poor performance ratings, with 62% disapproval compared to just 38% approval. The Fox News poll reportedly carries a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
Other surveys, including a recent Associated Press-NORC poll, illustrate similar unfavorable views regarding Trump’s economic management. This AP-NORC poll, conducted between December 4 and 8, found that only 31% of Americans are satisfied with his economic leadership—down from 40% in March—representing his lowest economic approval ratings throughout both his terms.
This Poll’s figures, gathered from 1,146 adults and with a ±4 percentage-point margin of error, show a notable decline in support amongst Republicans—a drop from 78% in March to just 69% in December.
Reactions
Trump himself took to Truth Social on December 11, stating: “I inherited a disastrous situation from the Biden Administration—the worst inflation ever and the highest prices our nation has faced. Fifteen months ago, affordability was a disaster for Americans, but everything has changed now! Prices are going down rapidly, energy prices are at five-year lows, and the stock market just reached an all-time high. Tariffs are bringing massive income into the country, and we have regained respect on the world stage. Why won’t anyone credit me with building what might be the greatest economy in our history without inflation? When will people grasp the reality? When will the polls reflect America’s current strength compared to just one year back?”
Kendall Witmer, the Democratic National Committee’s Rapid Response Director, previously mentioned to Newsweek: “Trump’s economic chaos is starting to catch up with him, and understandably, voters are frustrated. He pledged to reduce costs from day one, but instead, prices are ascending while solid job opportunities are slipping away. So far, Trump’s response has been to dismiss affordability as a ‘hoax’ and to downplay the situation. Working families are doing without meals or skipping necessary medical care, all while facing diminishing savings as Trump continues his failed economic policies—meanwhile, Democrats are fighting tirelessly to slash prices and reduce living costs.”
Looking Ahead
The growing dissatisfaction regarding the economy poses threat to the Republican Party’s upcoming chances in the 2026 midterms, potentially leading to primary challenges and openings for Democratic victories in crucial swing states. Nonetheless, public sentiment and polling data are subject to change, and the midterms are still 11 months away.
