Nearly Half of Americans, Including 1 in 5 Trump Voters, Blame President for Cost of Living, New Poll Shows

Nearly a year into his second term, many in the U.S. say President Donald Trump now bears responsibility for the high cost of living — including a notable share of voters who supported him in the 2024 elections, according to new polling from POLITICO and Public First.

The survey finds that 46% of Americans say it is Trump's economy now, and that his administration is responsible for the affordability problems they face. That includes 37% of his 2024 voters who believe the cost of living is the worst they can remember.

Affordability remains the top concern for 56% of the country, and a plurality of respondents list grocery prices as the most difficult expense to manage, followed by housing and health care. One in five Trump voters now say he has had a chance to improve the economy but hasn't taken it — a sign that frustrations are extending beyond his political opposition.

"When voters don't feel relief, they turn their blame to the party in power," Republican strategist Barrett Marson told POLITICO.

Republicans have long argued they hold an advantage on economic issues. But the poll shows that support among Trump's softer 2024 coalition — voters who do not identify as "MAGA Republicans" — is weakening. Among those voters, 29% say Trump has not taken action on the economy, compared with just 11% of self-identified MAGA Republicans.

As a result, Democrats have begun to lean into economic messaging following recent strong results in New Jersey, Virginia and a Tennessee special election, where affordability concerns dominated, as Politico points out. "Republicans need to understand... to hold the House in 2026, it's going to be an all-hands-on-deck effort," GOP strategist Ford O'Connell told the news site.

The White House, however, rejects suggestions that Trump is losing ground. "Cleaning up Joe Biden's economic disaster has been a Day One priority," spokesperson Kush Desai told Politico, adding that "the best is yet to come."

A separate national survey published in early November underscores the pressure Trump faces among key constituencies, more specifically Latinos. In a Unidos Bipartisan Poll of Latino voters obtained by CBS News, 53% cite cost of living and inflation as their top issue, and 65% say Trump and Republicans are not doing enough to improve economic conditions.