Public Approval Fell on President Trump’s Economic Management
New polling shows most Americans now blame administration policies for high prices and strain on household budgets.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Inflation
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Seventeen percent of American adults now approve of how President Trump is managing the cost of living, according to new data from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. This marks a 14 percentage point decline in economic popularity since March 2025.
Why it matters
The drop in approval reflects increasing pressure on household finances as more Americans link current price levels to administration policy. Sixty-five percent of the public now attribute high costs directly to these policy decisions, complicating long-term household financial planning.
An AP-NORC poll of 2,140 adults shows that 50% of U.S. adults are now worried about their ability to afford gasoline. Overall economic approval for President Trump sits at 26%, down 14 percentage points from March 2025.
The players
President Trump
The current President of the United States whose administration sets federal fiscal and economic policies affecting household inflation.
AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research
An independent research organization that provides public data on economic sentiment and household financial concerns.
The details
The survey, conducted between September 24 and 28, 2026, highlights a shifting sentiment regarding federal economic management. With 50% of adults expressing concern over gasoline costs and a majority blaming current policies for elevated prices, many households are re-evaluating their discretionary spending. The findings underscore a widespread sense of fiscal unease as families attempt to navigate the impact of price levels on their monthly budgets.
Timeline
March 2025: Economic popularity was 14 percentage points higher.
April 2026: Roughly half of Republicans expressed disapproval of cost management.
July 2026: 39 percent of adults reported concerns regarding gasoline costs.
September 24-28, 2026: The AP-NORC polling data was collected.
October 2026: Midterm elections are scheduled to occur.
Money Landscape
The current economic climate is defined by heightened sensitivity to household expenses compared to the baseline established in March 2025. This downward shift in approval reflects a broader trend of public dissatisfaction with current inflation and federal policy management.
Rising anxiety over essential costs like gasoline suggests that households are increasingly focused on protecting their essential spending power. Consult a qualified financial professional to ensure your budget can withstand sustained price volatility in core categories.
The takeaway
Economic confidence remains low as household concern over essential costs like fuel continues to climb. To manage your own budget, verify that your monthly cash flow projections account for potential price fluctuations in the energy sector.
What happens next
The midterm elections are scheduled to occur in October 2026.
Further reading
For more information on how national trends affect personal budgets, visit Inflation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Alternet.
Live Poll
Do you believe current high prices are primarily the fault of federal policies?
