Full Breakdown
Trump’s Economy and Cost-of-Living Ratings Hit Record Lows Amid Policy Rollbacks
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
- A new AP-NORC poll conducted Sept 24-28, 2026 shows only 17 % of U.S. adults approve of President Donald Trump’s handling of the cost of living and 26 % approve of his overall economic management – the lowest levels recorded in his second term.
- The same poll finds 65 % of adults blame Trump’s policies for high prices, while 67 % of Republicans say external factors are to blame.
- In the same week the administration rolled back federal fuel-economy standards, lowering the 2031 fleet-wide average from about 50 mpg to just under 35 mpg, promoted as “Freedom Means Affordable Cars.”
Background & Context
- Trump began his second term in 2025 with a 52 % overall approval rating. Since then, tariffs, a seven-month war with Iran, and aggressive trade policies have been cited as drivers of inflation.
- Earlier polling in July 2026 recorded an all-time-low 31 % approval of his economic handling.
- The Iran war, which started in early 2025, has pushed gasoline prices upward; AAA reported an average of $4.47 per gallon in late September, up from $3.13 a year earlier.
Data & Statistics
- 65 % of U.S. adults blame Trump’s policies for high prices.
- 73 % disapprove of his handling of the economy overall.
- 69 % say the Iran war has not been worth fighting.
- The fuel-economy rollback projects a $1,300 reduction in new-vehicle sticker price but an estimated $1,600 increase in lifetime fuel costs per vehicle (U.S. DOT/NHTSA analysis).
- Gasoline averaged $4.47 per gallon in late September, up from $4.07 the month before (AAA).
Official Statements & Responses
- White House spokesman Kush Desai defended the administration’s focus on a “long-term economic agenda” despite temporary price spikes from the Iran conflict.
- Trump, at a recent press gaggle, claimed “We have the greatest economy in history.”
Criticism & Opposition
- Environmental groups warn the rollback will increase emissions: “Less fuel-efficient cars mean more gas burned, spending more at the pump, and dirtier air in our communities.”
- AFL-CIO chief economist Darrick Hamilton called the administration’s boast “bluster, it’s gaslighting” and said the economy is trending down by many measures, much of it due to Trump’s unforced errors.
On-the-Ground Reports
- “I was hoping it would be better or different, but it’s not really good,” said Robert Gault, 66, a retired factory worker from Bradford, Pennsylvania.
- “I think inflation is a very difficult thing to tackle,” said Fred Naumann, 51, a Republican automotive worker.
- A mental-health therapist from Mississippi expressed disappointment that conditions have not improved, noting continued hardship for patients.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Approval figures differ across surveys: AP-NORC reports 17 % cost-of-living approval, while Forbes cites a 31 % economy-approval rating in July. Both numbers come from separate polling firms.
- Cost-benefit estimates for the fuel-economy rule vary: the DOT projects a $1,300 vehicle-price saving, whereas NHTSA predicts a $1,600 lifetime fuel-cost increase for drivers. No consensus exists on the net consumer impact.
What’s Next
- The administration will promote the rule during a 32-day campaign blitz beginning Thursday, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance traveling to Texas and Oklahoma ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
- Environmental advocates say congressional hearings on the fuel-economy rollback are likely after the elections, aiming to scrutinize the administration’s rationale.
