Trump tries to sell an economy voters aren't buying

President Donald Trump is attempting to promote his administration’s economic record amid growing voter dissatisfaction with rising prices and overall economic conditions, as the 2026 midterm elections draw near. The latest data suggests that Trump’s efforts to frame the economy as stable and prosperous are falling short of public sentiment, which increasingly reflects concern over inflation and affordability. The White House has yet to provide a response to recent reports highlighting the disconnect between Trump’s messaging and public perception. A CBS News/YouGov survey conducted between July 22 and 24 found that roughly 35 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s management of the economy, while 65 percent expressed disapproval. When it comes specifically to inflation, the approval rate dropped further, with just 29 percent of respondents approving of Trump’s handling of the issue, compared to 71 percent who disapproved. Public confidence in the current state of the economy under the Trump administration has also declined significantly. According to a Fox News poll conducted between July 17 and 20, only 24 percent of Americans view the economy as excellent or good, marking an eight-point drop from the previous year’s figure of 32 percent. This decline underscores a broader trend of economic anxiety among the general population, which appears to be influencing voter priorities ahead of the midterms. Voters continue to prioritize economic concerns, with 29 percent indicating that they want candidates in their local districts to focus more on economic issues than any other topic during the upcoming election cycle, according to Pew Research Center. Despite these concerns, there is no clear partisan advantage when it comes to how voters perceive each party’s economic strategy. Pew’s findings reveal that 37 percent of respondents most agreed with the Democratic Party’s approach to economic issues, while 36 percent favored the Republican Party’s stance. Fox News polling further highlights this divide, showing that 54 percent of respondents believe Democrats would handle the economy better than Republicans, with only 45 percent expressing similar confidence in the Republican Party. These figures suggest that the electorate is not fully aligned with either party’s economic narrative, potentially complicating the campaign strategies of both sides. Enthusiasm for voting remains skewed toward Democrats, with 68 percent of voters expressing greater enthusiasm for Democratic candidates compared to 57 percent for Republicans, according to the same Fox News poll. Independents, who make up a crucial portion of the electorate, show less enthusiasm, with 41 percent expressing interest in voting. This dynamic indicates that independent voters could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the midterms, especially given the close margins in many races. As the election approaches, the race for influence over voters’ economic concerns intensifies. With Trump’s economic polling continuing its downward trajectory, the challenge for his campaign lies in effectively addressing public skepticism and repositioning the administration’s economic achievements in a manner that resonates with a skeptical electorate. The coming months will likely see increased scrutiny on how each side frames the economic landscape, with the ultimate goal of securing support from undecided voters and independents.