A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research indicates that 17% of U.S. adults approve of President Donald Trump’s handling of the cost of living. The survey, released on October 1, 2026, found that overall approval for the president's economic management has reached a new low of 26%, down from 38% in March 2025. According to the findings, 65% of Americans attribute persistently high costs to the president's policies, such as tariffs and the war with Iran, rather than factors beyond his control.
The poll comes as Republicans seek to maintain control of Congress in the upcoming November midterm elections. The data shows a shift in public perception compared to the 2022 midterms; at that time, 44% of Americans blamed then-President Joe Biden’s policies for high prices, while 55% cited external factors. In the current survey, approximately 7 in 10 Americans, including about half of Republicans, stated that the president's handling of the cost of living has been worse than expected.
Specific economic concerns centered on basic necessities, with about half of U.S. adults reporting they are "extremely" or "very" concerned about their ability to afford food and gasoline. While 67% of Republicans still maintain that external factors are more to blame for inflation, approval of the president's economic performance among his own party has fallen to 62%, down from 74% in March 2026. Conversely, border security remains a relative area of strength for the administration, with about 50% of Americans expressing approval of his performance in that sector.
The findings highlight a specific impact on small-business owners and farmers, who report that the unpredictable nature of prices is disrupting their ability to manage operations. Furthermore, the 64% of Americans who believe the administration has "gone too far" on tariffs indicates a broader concern among consumers and importers regarding trade policy and its direct link to retail prices. The data suggests that these economic pressures are eroding the president's traditional support base, with 60% of Republicans under age 45 now disapproving of his handling of costs. This shift sets a precedent where domestic economic frustration is being directly linked to foreign policy, specifically the war with Iran, which 69% of Americans now say is not worth fighting.
What happens next depends on the November 2026 midterm election results, which will determine if the current administration retains the legislative support necessary to continue its trade and military policies. The survey was conducted between September 24 and September 28, 2026, involving 2,140 adults with a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points. Congressional leaders and candidates will likely use these metrics to adjust their platforms as they enter the final weeks of campaigning before the November vote. No specific dates for new economic legislation or interest rate changes were reported in the survey findings.