Poll Bombshell Slams Trump

President Donald Trump
Photo: noamgalai / Shutterstock

Voters are pinning high prices on the White House, and the latest AP-NORC poll puts that blame squarely on President Trump’s policies.

At a Glance

  • Sixty-five percent say Trump’s policies drive persistently high prices.
  • Only about 17 percent approve of his handling of the cost of living.
  • Economic approval hits a new low near one quarter of adults, per AP-NORC.
  • The survey used 2,140 adults from a nationally representative panel.

Most Americans Blame Policy For Prices, And They Point To Trump

The Associated Press and the National Opinion Research Center report that most Americans blame Trump’s policies for high prices. Coverage cites about 65 percent assigning policy blame to the president.

Only about two in ten approve of his handling of the cost of living, a steep figure for an issue that usually decides midterms. These numbers reflect a mood shaped by grocery bills and gas costs that still feel too high for many families, despite shifting headlines.

The poll’s backbone is solid for public polling. The team fielded 2,140 adults on the National Opinion Research Center’s AmeriSpeak Panel over September 24 to 28, 2026.

AmeriSpeak uses a probability-based sample to reflect the United States adult population. That design helps avoid the wild swings that come from opt-in web polls. It does not make policy pain feel better at the pump, but it does make the results worth a close read.

Economic Approval Slides To A New Low Amid High Costs

Approval of Trump’s handling of the economy fell to a new low in the AP-NORC series. AP coverage puts overall economic approval in the mid-20s in the latest wave, down from about 30 percent in April.

The sharper drop sits atop very weak scores on cost of living, where approval hovers near 17 percent. When most people say the economy feels bad, presidents take the hit.

Gas prices compound frustration. AP’s reporting ties the sentiment to high fuel costs and sticky prices across daily needs. Households notice when a full tank costs more than last month, and they do not accept long, technical reasons. They want relief now. The survey indicates that even some Republicans show less confidence than earlier this year, which matters in close districts where a small shift can flip control.

Partisan Splits Exist, But The Topline Still Bites

Partisan patterns still show, but they don’t erase the main finding. Earlier AP-NORC waves showed Republicans more supportive of Trump on the economy, yet not at the sky-high levels presidents want from their base.

When prices are the core issue, party loyalty softens at the edges. Independent voters tend to lock in on kitchen-table math. If prices take a bigger slice of take-home pay, they blame the people in charge. That is the accountability frame both parties understand.

One caution applies, and it comes from the coverage itself: different stories reference different waves and measures, like economy approval versus cost-of-living approval. The picture is consistent, though. Each data point shows weak ratings on the economy and especially on prices.

AP’s polling tracker shows a steady grind rather than a one-week wobble. Direction matters most in the run-up to voting. The arrow is still pointing down for the president on prices.

What It Means For The Months Ahead

Policy arguments will now chase perception. The White House can stress supply moves, energy permits, and trade talks. Opponents will argue that tariffs, spending, and war risks raised costs. Voters will judge by receipts, not press releases.

For those who prize accountability and smaller, smarter government, the lesson is blunt. If policies strain family budgets, the public will demand course corrections. That is not anti-market. That is prudence anchored in everyday reality.

Sources:

usnews.com, ap.org, apnorc.org, apnews.com

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