As inflation continues to strain household budgets, a new nationwide poll reveals that a majority of Americans hold former President Donald Trump responsible for the rising cost of living—underscoring mounting public frustration over his erratic economic policies and trade decisions.
According to a comprehensive survey conducted by Groundwork Collaborative in partnership with Data for Progress, 55% of likely U.S. voters say they somewhat or strongly disapprove of how Trump is handling inflation and the cost of essential goods. The findings highlight a growing disconnect between Trump’s rhetoric and the day-to-day realities faced by working families across the country.
Grocery Prices, Tariffs, and Economic Turbulence
“Working families are seeing their grocery bills and other basic expenses skyrocket,” said Lindsay Owens, Executive Director of Groundwork Collaborative. “They know full well who is to blame—President Trump’s reckless trade wars and erratic tariffs are hitting Americans right in their wallets.”
The poll, which surveyed 1,213 likely voters, reveals a stark partisan divide. While 90% of Democrats expressed strong disapproval of Trump’s handling of the economy, 79% of Republicans said they support his approach. Among Independents, 73% blamed Trump for rising inflation, suggesting that dissatisfaction with his economic stewardship extends beyond party lines.
The majority of respondents cited increased costs in groceries, clothing, furniture, electronics, and new automobiles as top concerns. These trends align with fresh data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday, showing that the consumer price index (CPI)—a key measure of inflation—rose 0.2% in April on a seasonally adjusted basis. While the year-over-year inflation rate dipped slightly from 2.4% in March to 2.3% in April, the modest slowdown has done little to ease public concern.
Economic Experts Warn Tariffs Could Drive Prices Higher
Although the April inflation report offered a small reprieve, economists caution that Trump’s trade policies could soon intensify cost pressures. His administration’s tariffs on imported goods—many of which remain in effect—are expected to drive future inflation.
“There isn’t a lot of evidence of tariffs boosting the CPI in April,” noted Ryan Sweet, Chief U.S. Economist at Oxford Economics. “But this shouldn’t be surprising—it takes time for trade policies to work their way through the economy.”
Seema Shah, Chief Global Strategist at Principal Asset Management, echoed that sentiment in a note to investors. “Inflation numbers will now be further whipsawed by the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s U.S./China trade truce announcements,” she said.
Public Confidence in Trump’s Economic Leadership Is Eroding
The broader economic unease extends beyond monthly price indices. A separate survey conducted by Harris Poll and published by The Guardian found that many Americans are delaying major life decisions—such as marriage, starting a family, and purchasing a home—due to growing economic anxiety. That anxiety, many believe, is being stoked by Trump-era fiscal mismanagement.
“Prices are rising, and Americans’ confidence in Donald Trump’s ability to fix it is falling,” said Owens. “Instead of working to bring down costs, Trump and his allies in Congress are slashing safety net programs while handing out massive tax breaks to billionaires and multinational corporations.”
Trickle-Down Economics on Steroids
As inflation weighs heavily on voters’ minds, House Republicans are advancing legislation to slash funding for vital public programs—allegedly to offset the cost of a tax proposal that would disproportionately benefit the ultra-wealthy. Former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich blasted the bill, calling it “trickle-down economics on steroids.”
Critics argue that the proposal is a blatant redistribution of wealth from working-class Americans to the richest households, all while inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of everyday consumers.
