Poll finds low marks for Trump on costs and economy

A new AP-NORC poll found that 17% of U.S. adults approve of President Donald Trump’s handling of the cost of living and 26% approve of his handling of the economy, as most respondents said his policies were more responsible for persistently high prices than factors outside his control. The economy rating is 14 percentage points below the poll’s March 2025 result and marks a new low in AP-NORC polling. Overall, 65% of adults said Trump’s policies, rather than factors beyond his control, were more responsible for high prices. The findings come weeks before midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. The poll also found broad concern about the cost of essentials. About half of adults said they were extremely or very concerned about being able to afford gasoline, up from 39% in July. A similar share expressed high concern about affording food. Roughly seven in 10 said Trump’s handling of the cost of living had been worse than expected. Dissatisfaction extended to Republicans. About six in 10 said they disapproved of Trump’s handling of living costs, up from about half in April.