Poll Shows Majority of Voters View White House Economic Impact Negatively

Washington, D.C. – A new national poll reveals mounting public discontent with the state of the U.S. economy, as a large majority of registered voters now describe national economic conditions as worsening under the current administration. The results underscore deepening frustration with inflation, stagnant wages, and rising living costs that have eroded confidence in leadership and strained household budgets.

Conducted from November 14 to 17, 2025, among 1,005 registered voters, the survey finds that 76 percent now characterize the economy as either fair or poor, compared with 67 percent in July. That marks the steepest pessimistic shift in public sentiment since mid-2022 during the height of pandemic-related disruptions. Concerns about inflation continue to dominate, with just 18 percent of voters believing that prices are “largely” or “fully” under control.

Inflation Fears Continue to Drive Frustration

Inflation remains a decisive factor shaping public opinion. Despite modest stabilization in certain markets like energy and vehicle prices, consumers report persistent strain at grocery stores, hospitals, and housing markets. The poll shows that 85 percent of respondents have felt significant increases in grocery prices, with 60 percent saying items have become “a lot” more expensive over the past year.

Utility costs are also weighing heavily, cited by 78 percent as higher than in 2024. Healthcare costs were mentioned by 67 percent, housing by 66 percent, and gasoline by 54 percent. The rise in these everyday essentials has gradually reshaped household priorities, forcing many Americans to cut discretionary spending and delay long-term purchases such as vehicles and home improvements.

Economic experts note that while job growth has persisted, wage increases have not kept pace with inflation, effectively neutralizing any gains in purchasing power. Economists from several universities have pointed to rapid increases in rental costs and property insurance premiums as persistent inflationary forces that continue to drive anxiety among lower- and middle-income households.

Economic Perceptions Across Demographics

The survey finds personal financial assessments remain largely stagnant. About 60 percent of respondents describe their personal finances as “fair” or “poor,” a figure consistent with a year ago but sharply divergent across demographic groups.

Among those without a college degree, 72 percent express negative views about their household finances. That number rises to 79 percent among households earning less than $50,000 annually. Young adults, particularly those under 45, exhibit similar patterns of pessimism, reflecting growing concerns over affordability in housing, childcare, and transportation.

Hispanic and Black voters, who were among the hardest hit during the inflation surge of 2022, continue to report economic difficulties at elevated rates compared with the national average. Analysts suggest that inflation in essentials, rather than luxury items, is driving much of this disparity.

Voters Assign Responsibility for the Economic Slowdown

Responsibility for the state of the economy divides sharply along political lines, though the poll indicates that a majority—62 percent—blame President Trump’s administration. About one-third, or 32 percent, attribute the current conditions to former President Biden’s economic legacy.

Partisan differences are clear: Democrats overwhelmingly fault Trump, while Republicans remain somewhat split, with 42 percent blaming Trump and 53 percent pointing to Biden’s prior policies. Among independents, the divide mirrors the broader electorate, with 62 percent holding Trump primarily accountable for economic struggles.

This split underscores how long-term economic narratives influence voter perceptions. For some, the inflation that began escalating during the tail end of the pandemic remains tied to previous stimulus measures. For others, tariffs, trade tensions, and regulatory decisions from the current administration are viewed as immediate sources of cost escalation.

Public Views of Policy Effectiveness

Voter assessments of current policies are broadly negative. Nearly two-thirds of respondents say that the administration’s economic decisions have hurt families more than helped. This net negative margin of 31 points mirrors the sentiment at the end of Biden’s presidency, when public confidence in fiscal management also hovered near historic lows.

Among Democrats, 75 percent describe current policies as harmful, signaling internal frustration amid continued debate over government spending and fiscal priorities. Independents show similarly bleak views, reinforcing the increasing polarization of economic interpretations across party lines.

Historic Comparison of Public Confidence

Historically, such levels of dissatisfaction are rare outside of major recessions or financial crises. Comparable nationwide pessimism occurred in early 2009 during the Great Recession and again in late 2022, when consumer confidence dropped under persistent price shocks.

Then, as now, voters viewed inflation as the defining measure of economic health. Analysts draw comparisons to past administrations that faced cyclical downturns, noting that while growth indicators can remain positive, perceptions of affordability often carry greater political weight.

Approval Ratings Reflect Broad Discontent

Overall job approval for the president now stands at 41 percent, while disapproval has risen to 58 percent, marking the lowest point since his previous administration’s approval trough in late 2017. Approval specifically related to economic stewardship has fallen to 38 percent—the lowest since his return to office—while approval for tariffs and trade policy stands at 35 percent and healthcare management at 34 percent.

The data suggests widespread skepticism about the administration’s ability to reverse current trends or stabilize consumer prices before the next election cycle.

Government Shutdown Intensifies Public Hardship

The ongoing federal government shutdown has worsened public attitudes. Forty-five percent of surveyed voters report moderate to severe personal hardship due to reduced public services, delayed benefits, and suspended programs.

Criticism extends beyond the White House. Disapproval rates for congressional Republicans (63 percent) and congressional Democrats (64 percent) now stand nearly identical, illustrating bipartisan frustration. The shutdown has elevated food insecurity among lower-income federal employees and contractors, with visible impacts across major metropolitan areas, particularly in Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia.

Political Figures See Falling Favorability

The broader political climate shows continued erosion of trust across institutions. Sixty-three percent of respondents say the president “does not care about people like them.” Congressional Republicans fare slightly worse at 65 percent, with Democrats close behind at 59 percent.

Party favorability ratings are now tied, with both Republicans and Democrats at 39 percent, representing declines from the summer. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer faces his lowest rating ever recorded, with a 22 percent favorable and 54 percent unfavorable split, resulting in a net negative of 32 points.

Partisan Strengths and Policy Priorities

Despite the overall gloom, voters remain divided on which party handles specific issues better. The poll finds that Republicans are trusted more on border security, immigration, crime, and federal deficit management, while Democrats hold advantages on climate change, healthcare, and affordability issues such as wages and housing costs.

Job creation remains evenly split between the two parties, suggesting that employment numbers alone are insufficient to sway public perception when inflation continues to erode disposable income.

The Lingering Impact on American Households

The data paints a picture of an electorate burdened by economic unease and skeptical about the government’s capacity to alleviate it. For millions of families, the defining story of 2025 has been the struggle to maintain a standard of living amid rising costs and unstable prices for essentials.

Experts warn that extended periods of low economic confidence can have lasting consequences for consumption, savings, and even voter behavior. Analysts note that consumer sentiment often predicts economic performance, as people reduce spending when they perceive financial risk.

In communities across the Midwest, small business owners have expressed growing concern over declining demand and rising wholesale costs. Regional surveys show heightened pessimism in industrial and agricultural states, where supply chain constraints and export fluctuations continue to create uncertainty. Coastal urban centers, though economically robust, face a different challenge—skyrocketing housing prices that keep younger workers out of homeownership.

Broader Economic Context and Future Outlook

The U.S. economy remains technically stable, with GDP growth not yet in negative territory. However, forecasts from major banks anticipate slowing expansion into early 2026 if inflation does not moderate further or if wage growth stalls. Economists point to elevated interest rates as both a necessary stabilizer and a key contributor to affordability pressures in credit markets, particularly for homebuyers and small enterprises.

Comparatively, other G7 nations have endured similar discontent. The United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada have each faced public frustration over cost-of-living increases, despite different fiscal policies. Yet the United States stands out for the mismatch between persistent consumer anxiety and broader economic indicators showing low unemployment and steady industrial production.

The current poll underscores that the nation’s economic debate is not solely about metrics like GDP or stock performance, but about day-to-day experience—how far paychecks stretch and whether families feel they are moving forward or backward.

As inflation continues to influence political and economic decision-making, restoring confidence will likely require tangible relief for households rather than macroeconomic assurances. Until Americans feel prices are under control, pessimism toward the White House and Congress is poised to remain a defining feature of the national mood heading into 2026.