Recent survey results indicate a significant decline in public approval for President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy, particularly regarding inflation. This downturn comes as food prices continue to rise and energy market volatility persists, casting a shadow over the economic policies that have been a cornerstone of his administration.
Inflation Concerns Erode Economic Confidence
An analysis of public opinion reveals that a substantial majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the administration’s response to rising prices. A poll conducted between May 29 and June 1 among 1537 registered voters found that 69% disapprove of the President’s performance on the issue of ‘price increases and cost of living.’ Only 18% expressed approval.
This represents a 10-point increase in disapproval compared to the previous month’s survey. Notably, dissatisfaction is growing even within the President’s own Republican base. Among Republican supporters, disapproval of the handling of inflation has surged to 43%, a considerable jump from 26% just a month prior.
Administration Policies Linked to Price Hikes
A significant portion of respondents attribute the rise in food prices to the current administration’s policies. Approximately 67% of all respondents believe that the Trump administration’s actions have impacted food prices negatively. This sentiment is shared by over half (53%) of Republican voters.
Conversely, only 8% of all respondents felt that the President’s policies had led to a decrease in food prices. Data indicates that U.S. food prices, as of April, saw a 2.9% increase compared to the same period last year, marking the highest inflation rate since 2023. The cost of fruits and vegetables specifically rose by 6.1% during the same timeframe.
Further exacerbating concerns, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have led to a rise in global oil prices, contributing to increased gasoline and fuel costs, which in turn are impacting the prices of other everyday goods. Economists anticipate that upcoming consumer price index data for May could show an even steeper rise in food inflation.
Broader Economic Outlook Remains Negative
Beyond inflation, the general perception of the U.S. economy’s direction is also largely negative. Sixty-four percent of those surveyed believe the economy is heading in the wrong direction, while only 26% feel it is on the right track. This marks a slight decrease in optimism compared to the previous month.
While recent employment figures have shown improvement, with an average monthly job growth of 188,000 over the last three months, wage growth has not kept pace with inflation. In May, wage increases stood at 3.4% year-over-year, falling short of the projected inflation rate of 3.8%, indicating a potential decline in real purchasing power.
Mixed Reviews Across Policy Areas
Public sentiment is also divided on other key policy areas. National debt and government spending received a 22% approval rating and 59% disapproval. Tariffs and trade policy fared similarly, with 26% approval and 57% disapproval.
Policies related to Iran, housing, and job creation/economic sectors also garnered more negative than positive assessments. In contrast, immigration and border security saw a more balanced response, with 41% approval and 46% disapproval.
Overall, President Trump’s job performance rating stands at 37% approval and 56% disapproval, showing little change from the previous month.
Midterm Election Outlook
In a hypothetical scenario for the upcoming midterm elections next year, 50% of respondents indicated they would support a Democratic candidate, while 45% would back a Republican candidate. While the Democratic lead persists, the gap has narrowed slightly from the previous month.
Responding to the economic concerns, a White House spokesperson stated that the current inflationary pressures are considered a temporary situation, primarily driven by short-term disruptions stemming from global energy supply issues. The administration anticipates that as policy effects become more pronounced, inflation will moderate and economic growth will accelerate.
The survey’s margin of error is ±2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
