Public sentiment on the economy remains largely negative in key states. In New Jersey, New York City, and California, fewer than 40 percent of voters described economic conditions as good or excellent. In contrast, 58 percent of Virginians viewed their state’s economy favorably.
The divergent perceptions underscore a growing challenge for Republicans: while official metrics may suggest economic strength, many Americans do not feel it in their daily lives. This disconnect was evident in the recent elections and could influence the 2026 midterms. Several Republican allies acknowledged the feedback, highlighting a recurring issue for leaders who must reconcile statistical optimism with public experience.
President Trump emphasized job growth and stock market gains, calling the current economy the “greatest” in U.S. history, while acknowledging that “a lot of people don’t see that.”
He argued that focusing on factual achievements is crucial for electoral success: “We have more people working now than in any time in the history of our country. … These are things you have to talk about. If people don’t talk about them, then you can do not so well in the elections.”
However, Trump’s claim that “grocery prices are way down” contradicts official data. According to the Consumer Price Index, prices increased 0.3 percent from August to September, following a 0.6 percent rise from July to August—the largest monthly increase in three years. In September, grocery prices were approximately 2.7 percent higher than a year earlier and 1.4 percent above January levels.
A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released on election day revealed that most Americans are spending more on groceries and utilities than they did a year ago. About 70 percent said food costs had risen under Trump’s leadership, and roughly 60 percent reported higher utility expenses.
Approximately 60 percent of respondents attributed inflation and rising prices “a great deal” or “a good amount” to Trump’s policies.
The president also made unsubstantiated claims about gasoline prices, asserting they had “plummeted to the lowest in two decades” and predicting $2-per-gallon fuel in the near future—claims not supported by current market data.
— news from Politico
— News Original —
Voters on Tuesday rewarded Democrats who addressed economic costs. Hours later, Trump said he delivered an ‘economic miracle.’
Less than 40 percent of voters in New Jersey, New York City and California said their economy is excellent or good. Fifty-eight percent of voters in Virginia, however, said the commonwealth’s economy is good or excellent. n nThe speech crystallized a key vulnerability for Republicans in Tuesday’s contest and ahead of the 2026 midterms: Economic indicators may project strength on paper, but consumers are not feeling it. Several key Trump allies internalized that feedback on Wednesday morning. It’s a problem that has plagued several recent presidents who struggled to balance confidence in statistics without undermining how consumers feel. n nTrump touted an influx of American jobs and a surging stock market, saying America has the “greatest economy” but that “a lot of people don’t see that.” n n“It’s really easy to win elections when you talk about the facts,” the president said, a reference to the candidates in Tuesday’s contests. “We have more people working now than in any time in the history of our country. … These are things you have to talk about. If people don’t talk about them, then you can do not so well in the elections.” n nTrump claimed Wednesday that “grocery prices are way down,” but according to the Consumer Price Index, that is not the case. Prices rose 0.3 percent from August to September, following a 0.6 percent jump from July to August, the biggest month-to-month jump in three years. n nAverage grocery prices in September were about 2.7 percent higher than they were a year prior, according to CPI, and about 1.4 percent higher than they were in January. n nA Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released Tuesday found that a majority of Americans say they are spending more on groceries and utilities than they were a year ago. Seven in 10 Americans say their grocery costs have gone up under Trump’s watch, while about 6 in 10 say their utility costs have gone up. n nRoughly 6 in 10 Americans blamed Trump “a great deal” or “a good amount” for the current rate of inflation and rising prices, according to the poll. n nTrump also honed in on gasoline prices during his remarks, saying, without evidence, that prices at the pump have “plummeted to the lowest in two decades,” adding that Americans will soon see $2 per gallon gasoline prices.