Majority of US voters report worsened finances under Trump poll finds

A new Financial Times poll reveals that a majority of American voters feel their personal finances have worsened under President Donald Trump, with mounting economic discontent poised to shape the upcoming November midterm elections. The survey, conducted by the nonpartisan research firm Focaldata, found that 53 percent of registered voters believe their financial situation has deteriorated since Trump returned to office in January 2025.

The poll, which surveyed 1,913 registered voters from August 7 to 10, 2026, indicates broad dissatisfaction across party lines. While 78 percent of Democrats reported feeling worse off, the sentiment was also held by 57 percent of independents and nearly one-quarter of self-identified Republicans. Only 21 percent of all voters said they were better off financially under the current administration.

This economic unease is reflected in broader assessments of the nation's financial health. Nearly two-thirds of respondents, 64 percent, said the U.S. economy is moving in the wrong direction. This view was shared by 86 percent of Democrats and 67 percent of independents, though 53 percent of Republicans expressed optimism about the economy's trajectory.