TEHRAN – US President Donald Trump is facing a new wave of negativity in economic polls showing a significant portion of voters are dissatisfied with his administration’s response to fiscal and livelihood issues. This growing discontent is increasingly reflected in public data and could have a direct impact on his political positions, especially ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
Trump’s return to the White House in 2024 began with a promise to restore economic prosperity, but global challenges and domestic pressures are forcing Americans into a different economic reality. The undeniable fact is that President Trump has largely failed in waging the trade and tariff war, which is having a negative impact on domestic economic indicators across the United States.
Recent opinion polls show that voters prioritize the economy, making it the government’s biggest weakness. The economy is now the most important factor in evaluating President Trump’s performance, according to a new YouGov/CBS News poll – one of the most respected polls of its time. Notably, 77% believe President Trump is “not doing enough” to fight inflation and improve the overall economy, reflecting what they see as a failure in implementing economic policy. Additionally, 64% of respondents disapproved of President Trump’s economic policies overall, the lowest approval rating so far in his second term, highlighting a clear gap from his supporters’ initial expectations.
The survey was conducted from November 19 to 21, 2025, and shows that it is directly relevant to daily life and that the policy effects on household finances are tangible. The survey found that 65% of Americans believe that President Trump’s current policies, including new tariffs and the full implementation of domestic subsidies, are contributing to higher food prices. Meanwhile, the White House insists that prices are stabilizing and that the rise in interest rates is due to disruptions to global supply chains caused by geopolitical developments.
Inflation is not the only concern. Only 32% of people rate the nation’s overall economy as “good”, down from 38% at the start of his second term in January 2025. The main factor reflected in these statistics is the high interest rate of the Federal Reserve, which maintains high interest rates to control inflation despite government pressure.
In response, the White House has sought to take a defensive stance, emphasizing continuing challenges and the economic legacy of the previous administration. White House Press Secretary Khush Desai told Barron’s: “From day one in office, overcoming Joe Biden’s economic crisis has been President Trump’s top priority. The president inherited runaway inflation and weak infrastructure from the previous administration. We are implementing structural reforms. The administration continues to pursue policies to reduce inflation and raise real wages, ensuring the best possible situation in his second term.”
The White House also emphasized domestic energy investments aimed at reducing dependence on fuel imports, but economic analysts warn that the impact on final gas and fuel prices will not be significant before the 2026 election. However, current opinion polls do not support this claim.
The economy has always been a deciding factor in U.S. presidential elections and midterm elections. Mr. Trump pledged to curb inflation during his campaign, but his protectionist policies and trade tariffs on key partners such as China and the European Union have faced serious economic and trade criticism.
The significance of these statistics will become clearer in the November 2026 midterm elections, when Republicans will hold a slim majority in the House. A drop in support could jeopardize the party’s legislative agenda. Trump’s decline in popularity could lead to fewer voters in key constituencies and jeopardize Republican control of both chambers of Congress. Democrats, on the other hand, are likely to use these numbers as a central campaign tool, focusing on income inequality and the administration’s inability to control the cost of living. Their message will center on “an economy for ordinary people, not just big business.”
Dr. Mahdi Zolfagali is an Associate Professor at the Department of Asian Studies at Allameh Tabatabai University.