Full Breakdown
Americans Blame Trump Policies for Rising Costs as Approval Hits Record Lows Ahead of Midterms
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Poll Findings on Cost-of-Living Concerns
A Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on October 9 surveyed 4,506 U.S. adults. Seventy-eight percent said President Donald Trump’s policies are responsible for price increases that outpace wages. Majorities of Republicans (64 %) and independents (76 %) assigned blame, with tariffs singled out as a key driver.
- 57 % of self-identified Trump supporters reported costs rising faster than their paychecks.
- 54 % said the cost of living had “increased a lot” over the past year.
- 63 % are eating out less often, and 56 % are cutting back on entertainment.
Margin of error: ±2 pp overall, ±3 pp for partisan sub-groups.
Background: Policies Cited as Inflation Drivers
Respondents linked higher prices to several Trump-era actions:
- Import tariffs on a range of goods.
- War with Iran (started February 2025), which analysts say lifted global energy prices.
- Immigration restrictions, with 45 % viewing unauthorized immigration as a cause of higher housing costs.
These factors have coincided with the Federal Reserve’s shift to higher interest rates.
Data & Statistics on Approval and Electoral Outlook
- The Economist’s tracker (Oct 6, 2026) shows a net approval rating of -26, with 35 % approving and 61 % disapproving.
- Reuters reported a 32 % approval rating, unchanged from September, a record low for Trump.
- 44 % of registered voters prefer Democratic candidates in the November 3 midterms, versus 37 % for Republicans.
- Among Hispanic voters, 24 % approve of Trump, and 26 % plan to vote Republican.
Why It Matters: Midterm Implications
Cost-of-living anxiety is the top issue shaping voter decisions for the November 3 congressional contests. The poll shows an enthusiasm gap: 30 % of Trump supporters say they are “very enthusiastic” about voting, compared with 48 % of former Vice-President Kamala Harris voters. Republican strategist Charlie Gerow warned that “the enthusiasm has to be ginned up among Republicans because turnout is what’s going to determine the outcome of these midterm elections.”
If the trend holds, Democrats are projected to gain a House majority and remain competitive for the Senate, limiting Trump’s legislative agenda.
Official Statements & Responses
Republican strategist Charlie Gerow acknowledged the polling challenges but emphasized that the party must mobilize its base to offset the enthusiasm gap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm pretty much against all the nonsense that's going on in the Middle East with the Iran war, and pushing up the price of gasoline ... that's been very disheartening,” — Jeffrey Talley, retired bank examiner, Kansas
- “Gas prices ... food prices, the cost of living -- everything has gone up; what's going on with Iran, and all the stuff with immigration,” — Athena Barrett, Kansas City resident
- “The enthusiasm has to be ginned up among Republicans because turnout is what’s going to determine the outcome of these midterm elections,” — Charlie Gerow, Republican strategist
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Attribution of price increases: The Straitstimes poll (78 % blame Trump) contrasts with a Freep survey (70 % blame Trump) and another Freep poll (56 % blame Trump, 20 % blame President Joe Biden).
- Approval ratings: The Economist’s net-approval figure (-26) differs from Reuters’ 32 % approval and the Freep-reported 38 % approval.
- Voter enthusiasm: The Straitstimes poll reports a 30 % enthusiasm rate among Trump voters, while a Freep article notes a “record low” disapproval of 65 % in a similar timeframe.
These discrepancies underscore the need for additional polling to clarify voter sentiment and its drivers.