As 2025 draws to a close, the Trump administration forecasts robust economic growth for 2026, yet public sentiment suggests a disconnect between official projections and lived financial experiences. Recent polling data reveals that many Americans remain unconvinced by the administration’s upbeat narrative.
The White House is under increasing pressure to address cost-of-living concerns ahead of pivotal midterm elections. President Trump attributes economic challenges to policies from the prior administration while promoting his own legislative agenda as a catalyst for recovery.
According to a CBS News/YouGov survey of 2,300 adults, 61% believe Trump exaggerates improvements in inflation and pricing. His approval rating on economic management stands at 37%, a marginal increase from the previous month.
A majority of respondents pointed to Trump’s policies, rather than those of former President Biden, as the primary influence on current economic conditions.
Inflation data from the Consumer Price Index indicates a slowdown in price increases during November. Between September and November, food costs rose slightly by 0.1%, signaling a reduction in grocery inflation pressures, as reported by Axios’ Courtenay Brown.
In response to rising food prices, the administration recently lifted tariffs on essential grocery items such as coffee, beef, and tropical fruits, marking a shift from earlier trade stances.
Beyond polling, investor sentiment also reflects caution. The Financial Times noted that Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo and once considered for Treasury Secretary, has advised investors to reduce exposure and accumulate cash in anticipation of economic turbulence.
Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, defended the administration on “Fox News Sunday,” asserting that upcoming benefits would be tangible. He forecasted substantial tax rebates for seniors and select workers, along with a forthcoming housing initiative.
However, public outlook remains cautious. The CBS poll found that 45% expect Trump’s policies will worsen their financial situation by 2026, compared to 27% who anticipate improvement. An NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll showed only 33% expect better finances next year, down from 48% in June.
Despite official optimism, public evaluations of the economy are largely negative. In the CBS survey, only 5% rated the economy as “A,” while 20% gave a “B,” 26% a “C,” 25% a “D,” and 24% an “F.” Emerson College’s final 2025 poll found 22% assigned Trump an “A” on economic performance, while 36% gave him an “F.”
Over 60% of Americans say the economy is not working in their favor, up from 57% in May, according to the NPR/PBS News/Marist survey.
Democrats have seized on economic dissatisfaction, centering their campaign messaging on affordability—a term Trump has dismissed as a “con job.” As midterms approach, party leaders aim to make 2026 a referendum on living costs.
House Democrats, joined by moderate Republicans, have pushed for a vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits. Though unlikely to pass the Senate, the move could spark bipartisan negotiations focused on reducing expenses for households.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) emphasized the Democratic commitment on ABC’s “This Week,” stating the party will prioritize lowering living costs and reforming healthcare.
— news from Axios
— News Original —
Trump predicts a booming economy — but many Americans disagree: poll
As the calendar year comes to a close, the Trump administration is projecting a dazzling economy in 2026 — but a recent round of polls shows Americans ‘ economic vibes are sagging. n nWhy it matters: TheWhite House faces growing pressure to address affordability as it heads into a critical midterm. The president is betting that his “big, beautiful” law will boost the economy while pinning any lingering pain on his predecessor. n nCase in point: In a new CBS News/YouGov poll, 61% of U.S. adults say President Trump makes prices and inflation sound better than they really are. n nTrump ‘s approval rating on the economy sat at 37%, just one point higher than a month earlier, in the poll of 2,300 adults. n nRespondents were more than twice as likely to say Trump ‘s policies, not former President Biden ‘s, are responsible for the economy. n nReality check: The Consumer Price Index signaled easing inflation in November. n nFrom September to November, the index for food prices ticked up slightly, by 0.1% — which Axios ‘ Courtenay Brown reports also depicts a notable cooling in grocery price pressures. n nAs food prices climbed, the administration rolled back tariffs last month on key grocery items, like coffee, beef and tropical fruit in a retreat from its signature trade policy. n nZoom out: The skepticism isn ‘t just in polls. The Financial Times reported that Apollo CEO Marc Rowan — a onetime contender for Trump ‘s Treasury job — has told investors the firm is cutting risk and piling up cash for “when something bad happens.” n nWhat they ‘re saying: “They ‘ve got empty rhetoric. We ‘ve got rhetoric with substance,” National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said on “Fox News Sunday.” n nHe predicted Americans will “see it in their wallets. They ‘re going to see it in their bills.” n nHassett pledged “huge tax refunds” for seniors and certain workers and “a big plan” on housing to come. n nYes, but: More respondents in the CBS poll expected Trump ‘s policies will leave them financially worse off (45%) than better off (27%) in 2026. n nAn NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll survey released last week found that 33% of residents think their finances will improve in 2026, while 29% predict their finances to get worse. n nThat ‘s down from from June when 48% of Americans thought their personal finances would improve in the coming year. n nCatch up quick: Still, Trump says he gives his economy top marks. Voters are grading on a harsher curve. n nIn fact, just 5% gave the economy an “A” in the CBS poll. Twenty percent rated it a “B.” Twenty-six percent gave it a “C,” while 25% gave it a “D” and 24% gave it an “F.” n nEmerson College Polling ‘s last national survey of 2025 found that about 22% give Trump an “A” on the economy — but 36% give him an “F.” n nMore than six in 10 Americans said the economy is not working well for them in an NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll survey, up from 57% in May of this year. n nState of play: Democrats this year recognized that economic pain, centering their message around affordability (a word the president has since dismissed as a “con job”). n nHeading into the midterms, Democratic leaders want to make 2026 a referendum on affordability. n nIt comes as House Democrats, with a group of Republican centrists, secured the support to force a vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits. n nThe extension proposal is dead on arrival in the Senate, but it opens the door to possible bipartisan talks — with the cost of living at their core. n nZoom in: “As Democrats, we ‘re promising to focus relentlessly on driving down the high cost of living, to make life more affordable for everyday Americans, and to fix our broken health care system,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Sunday on ABC ‘s “This Week.” n nGo deeper: Trump ‘s approval rating on the economy hits record low 31%