Full Breakdown
Trump’s Cost-of-Living Approval Hits Record Low as Midterms Loom
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A new Associated Press-NORC poll of 2,140 U.S. adults shows only 17 % approve of President Donald Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while 26 % approve of his overall economic management. The poll finds 65 % of Americans blame Trump’s policies for high prices, and roughly half of Republicans share that view. The findings arrive weeks before the 2024 midterm elections, where control of Congress is at stake.
Background & Context
President Trump entered his second term promising lower prices through reduced regulation, trade reforms, and a strong stance on inflation. Since then, his administration has pursued aggressive tariffs, continued the war in Iran, and emphasized border security. Critics link these policies to rising grocery and gasoline costs, while many Republicans point to global supply disruptions and the Iran conflict.
Data & Statistics
- Cost-of-living approval: 17 %
- Overall economy approval: 26 %
- Disapproval of economic agenda: 73 % of all adults; about 60 % of Republicans disapprove of cost-of-living handling.
- Blame for high prices: 65 % of all adults attribute it to Trump’s policies; 67 % of Republicans say factors beyond his control are responsible.
- Perception of performance: 69 % say Trump’s handling of the cost of living has been “worse than expected,” including 52 % of Republicans.
- Methodology: Survey conducted in late September using NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel; margin of error ±2.9 percentage points.
Official Statements & Responses
- Trump has predicted that gas prices will decline once the Iran conflict ends, positioning the war as a temporary driver of higher costs.
- The White House announced a plan to send $500 Affordable Care Act refund checks to one million Americans as direct relief for households facing higher expenses.
Criticism & Opposition
- Robert Gault, a retired factory worker from Pennsylvania, expressed disappointment: “I was hoping it would be better or different, but it’s not really good.”
- Kristen Slaven, a mental-health therapist from Mississippi, criticized the administration’s focus on symbolic actions rather than feeding families: “I had hoped that it would be better.”
- Fred Naumann, an automotive-industry worker from Wisconsin, acknowledged the difficulty of tackling inflation: “I think inflation is a very difficult thing to tackle.”
These voices illustrate growing frustration among Republican voters who previously supported Trump.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Affordability ... I inherited that from the Biden administration. We had very high prices; we had eggs that were selling at four times what they are now, we had all sorts of product that was just tremendously out of control,” — Donald Trump
What’s Next
Trump’s campaign will launch a blitz covering 35 competitive House and Senate races, beginning with stops in Texas and Oklahoma. The rollout aims to mobilize voters amid the poll’s stark indication of public dissatisfaction. The $500 ACA refund checks will be distributed in the coming weeks, a targeted effort to address household cost pressures before the November elections.