A new Fox News poll suggests President Donald Trump is facing growing public dissatisfaction, especially on the economy. Nearly three out of four Americans say economic conditions are only fair or poor. More than half disapprove of Trump’s overall job performance.
White House Pushes Back
White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the administration in a statement to Newsweek. He said Trump was re-elected because he understood the economic damage left by Joe Biden. Desai claimed fighting inflation and high prices has been a top priority since day one and pointed to the latest inflation report as proof the administration’s economic plan is working.
Why This Matters
The poll results cut into one of Trump’s biggest political strengths, his claim of strong economic leadership. The findings come as the country heads toward the 2026 midterm elections.
Rising prices and financial stress could hurt Republican unity and weaken voter support. That may shape future battles in Congress and control of the House and Senate.
What the Poll Found
The Fox News poll surveyed 1,001 registered voters between December 12 and 15.
Only 44 percent said they approve of Trump’s job as president. Fifty six percent said they disapprove. On the economy, approval was even lower. Just 39 percent approved, while 61 percent disapproved.
Seventy two percent of respondents described the economy as fair or poor. Only 28 percent rated it as good or excellent.
Financial stress is growing. Forty four percent said they are falling behind financially. That number was 36 percent in June and similar to levels seen in October 2024.
Inflation Data Offers Mixed Signals
On Thursday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released delayed inflation data for November. Inflation over the past year came in at 2.7 percent.
Also Read: Fact Check Dismantles Trump’s Latest Claim That Prices Are “Falling Fast”
Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, slowed to 2.6 percent. That is the lowest level since March 2021. Despite the slowdown, voters remain deeply worried about prices.
Approval by Issue Area
Trump narrowly received majority support on border security, with 51 percent approving and 49 percent disapproving.
He failed to win majority approval on other issues, including health care, tariffs, immigration, foreign policy, crime, public safety, and government spending.
Overall, 59 percent of voters said they are unhappy with the direction of the country. Only 41 percent said they are satisfied.
Inflation Is the Top Concern
Ninety percent of voters said they are very or extremely concerned about inflation and high prices. Sixty one percent said they are extremely concerned. That is the highest level in more than two years.
High prices were also the top issue voters want the president to focus on, cited by 42 percent of respondents.
Congress Gets Low Marks Too
Republicans in Congress also performed poorly in the poll. Sixty two percent disapproved of their job performance, while only 38 percent approved.
Also Read: Karoline Leavitt Gets Debunked as “Strong” Job Market Claim Falls Apart
The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points.
Other Polls Show Similar Trends
Other surveys show similar results. An Associated Press NORC poll conducted between December 4 and 8 found only 31 percent approve of Trump’s handling of the economy. That number was 40 percent in March.
The AP NORC poll also showed a drop among Republicans. Approval fell from 78 percent in March to 69 percent in December. The poll surveyed 1,146 adults and had a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.
What Trump Is Saying
Trump responded to criticism in a December 11 post on Truth Social. He said he inherited the worst inflation and highest prices in history from the Biden administration. He claimed prices are now falling fast, energy costs are at five year lows, and the stock market has reached record highs.
Trump also questioned why polls do not reflect what he described as major economic progress.
Democratic Response
Democratic National Committee rapid response director Kendall Witmer criticized Trump’s economic record. She said voters are angry because Trump promised to lower costs immediately but prices remain high.
Witmer accused Trump of dismissing affordability concerns while families struggle with food costs, health care, and savings. She said Democrats are focused on lowering prices and easing the cost of living.
Also Read: Trump’s Bully Attempt Backfires, Could Force Release of His Financial Records
What Comes Next
Growing frustration with the economy could create problems for Republicans in the 2026 midterms. It may open the door to primary challenges and Democratic gains in competitive districts.
Public opinion can still shift, and the elections are nearly a year away. But the latest polling shows clear warning signs for the White House.
Data Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-prices-pinch-voters-see-trump-focused-elsewhere
