Two numbers tell the story fast: 65% blame President Trump’s policies for high prices, and only 26% approve of his economy stewardship.
Story Snapshot
- Most adults say Trump’s policies drove higher prices; Republicans largely disagree.
- Economic approval sinks to 26%, a new low in this series, with 17% on cost of living.
- Poll used a national probability sample of 2,140 adults; margin is 2.9 points.
- Many say the country and local economy got worse since Trump’s reelection.
Voters Link High Prices To Trump’s Policies
The AP-NORC survey found that 65% of U.S. adults say higher-than-usual prices are mostly the result of President Trump’s policies, not outside forces. That headline masks a sharp partisan split. About two-thirds of Republicans say forces beyond Trump’s control caused higher prices. The gap shows a classic pattern. People judge presidents for what hits their wallet, while partisans filter blame through team identity. The political cost lands either way, because store prices hit every household.
The same survey shows deep worry about day-to-day costs. Only 17% approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living. That number is striking because prices shape how people feel about control and dignity at home. When groceries, rent, and gas feel out of reach, patience fades. Many also said Trump’s handling of costs has been worse than they expected, which suggests a broken promise effect that can harden into a vote choice by habit and frustration.
Economic Approval Slumps To A New Low
Just 26% approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, the lowest rating for him in this polling series, according to The Associated Press summary of the AP-NORC data. Low headline approval and very low cost-of-living approval form a one-two punch. The broad economy can feel abstract, but the checkout line is not. More than half of respondents said the country, the national economy, and their local economy are worse off since his reelection. That mix points to a mood problem that simple talking points cannot fix.
Methodology backs the numbers. AP-NORC interviewed 2,140 adults from September 24 to 28, 2026, using the National Opinion Research Center’s AmeriSpeak Panel, which is a probability-based sample that reaches households online and by phone. The stated sampling margin of error is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. Like any survey, it measures opinion, not physics. But it gives a clear snapshot of how voters are assigning praise and blame right now.
Partisan Asymmetry Is Real, But The Majority Mood Drives Politics
The partisan asymmetry matters for strategy. Republicans largely point to global shocks and outside forces for high prices, while most of the public pins prices on policy choices made in Washington. That tension shapes messages, media hits, and ads. The majority mood wins airtime because it explains why swing voters may want a course change. Research on economic voting shows people punish presidents more for pain than they reward them for gains. High prices are the kind of pain that voters remember at the ballot box.
Campaign timing raises the stakes. The poll landed as President Trump and Vice President Vance worked to boost their party’s candidates, even in friendly states. That backdrop means every grocery bill becomes a political billboard. The Associated Press coverage also tied public frustration to the costs and unease around the war with Iran, which keeps energy and security concerns in view as people judge their leaders. If prices ease, moods can shift. If they do not, midterm math gets worse for the party in power.
Sources:
apnorc.org, apnews.com, inquirer.com
