Most Americans now pin stubbornly high prices on President Trump’s policies, and his economic approval has sunk to new lows.
Story Snapshot
- About 65% blame Trump’s policies for high prices, AP-NORC reports.
- Only about 17% approve of Trump’s handling of cost of living.
- Economic job approval dropped to roughly 26% in the latest wave.
- Gas prices and broader costs frame the slide in support.
Poll shows blame landing squarely on the White House
An Associated Press and National Opinion Research Center poll found that most adults say Trump’s policies drive today’s high prices, with about two in three assigning blame to policy choices.
The survey used the National Opinion Research Center’s AmeriSpeak Panel and included more than two thousand adults, giving a clear national snapshot. The topline lands at a sensitive moment ahead of midterms. Voters often judge leaders by kitchen-table costs, not by press conferences or forecasts.
Most Americans blame Donald Trump for high prices as midterms approach, a new AP-NORC poll finds https://t.co/UyN3mdY2Mu
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) October 1, 2026
Approval of Trump’s handling of the cost of living sits near the floor. Only about one in five approve, while a large majority disapprove. That split tracks with what people feel each week at supermarkets and gas stations. When bills rise faster than pay, patience fades.
This is not about abstract charts. It is about the total at the register and the price on the pump. Policy talk meets the receipt, and the receipt wins.
Economic approval hits a new low in trend context
The same polling series shows Trump’s approval of the broader economy falling to a new low, near the mid-20s in the latest reading, after slipping from about 30% in earlier waves. That trend matters more than any single data point.
When approval slides across months, it signals a durable shift in how people connect policy to their daily costs. The Associated Press coverage links the fall to rising prices and gas costs that continue to strain budgets.
Partisan views still shape reactions, but the poll shows movement beyond the president’s critics. Prior waves noted softening confidence even among Republicans, a sign the pain is not confined to swing voters. That does not erase party loyalty. It does mark a warning light.
When a base starts to split on pocketbook issues, candidates must answer with specific steps that ease costs fast. Voters reward results they can feel by next month, not next year.
Why the numbers moved: prices, energy, and real-world tradeoffs
Gas prices and everyday costs frame this story. The Associated Press hub on government policy highlights how ongoing price pressure, including energy, shapes public sentiment. Families feel the pinch before they hear the policy case.
People blame the person in charge because that is how accountability works in American politics. Fair or not, the bill lands on the desk it can find. Presidents own price pain until they show clear relief.
Most Americans blame Trump for high prices as midterms approach, a new AP-NORC poll finds https://t.co/HUNaCUhP61
— VeronikM-RESISTANCE-#TAEM #TousAvecEmmanuelMacron (@VeronikMouhat) October 1, 2026
Cause and effect should be clear. If tariffs raise input costs, if conflicts disrupt oil flows, and if spending pulls demand higher than supply, prices rise. The poll reflects that logic in how voters assign blame. Supporters argue other forces matter too.
That may be true, but voters weigh outcomes first. They want fewer shocks, more supply, and a plan that cuts the cost of fuel, food, housing, and power. Straight answers beat slogans when the rent is due.
What matters next: credible fixes people can see and measure
The path forward runs through visible, near-term relief and a steady long-term plan. Open more energy supply to ease fuel costs. Clear bottlenecks that raise shipping and grocery bills. Target relief to working families without stoking more inflation.
Show a timeline, set targets, and report progress monthly. The AP-NORC results will not reverse with speeches. They will move when prices fall and stay down long enough for people to trust the change.
Sources:
usnews.com, ap.org, apnews.com
