The poll underscores just how pervasive the affordability crisis cuts across Americans’ everyday lives. A 45 percent plurality list grocery costs as the most challenging things to afford, followed by 38 percent who say housing costs and 34 percent who say health care. (Respondents could select multiple responses.)
Forty-three percent of Americans — including 31 percent of Trump voters — say there is less economic opportunity in the U.S. now than there has been in the past.
Other indicators present a similarly bleak view: Consumer sentiment fell in November to one of its lowest levels on record, according to the University of Michigan.
And while Trump frequently points to his predecessor to deflect blame for inflation and high prices, the survey reveals that defense is starting to crack.
More Americans say Trump holds most or all responsibility for the economy (46 percent) than say Biden does (29 percent).
The ads just write themselves.
Trump is so verbally incontinent these days that I doubt this is going to help. And he is completely incapable of saying anything close to “I feel you pain.” He’s going to gaslight the voters with his usual bragging and complaining but I think his schtick is finally getting old:
President Trump, staring down criticism that he’s prioritized global issues over pocketbook worries, next week will kick off a year of heavy stateside travel that’s focused on selling his economic agenda ahead of the midterms. Trump’s approval rating has sunk as he has pursued peace deals around the globe and “narco-terrorists” in the Caribbean, while Americans have become more pessimistic about affording a better life.
With Republicans in danger of losing control of the House next November, Trump needs to be a lift — not a drag — in tough districts if the GOP is to defy powerful historic trends and keep its majority.
Trump’s new push begins Tuesday in the vital battleground of northeastern Pennsylvania. We’re told the president will aggressively push back against criticism over the cost of everyday essentials — an issue that helped propel him to victory over Kamala Harris last year.
The president’s growing irritation over how voters view his economic agenda has been bubbling over in his public remarks. He has repeatedly insisted prices are coming down, and has called Democrats’ focus on affordability a “hoax” and “con job.”
He’s floated several proposals to try to address cost-of-living concerns, including $2,000 tariff rebate checks and 50-year mortgages.
White House aides see Trump as the Republican Party’s best salesman — and its best chance to reverse falling poll numbers for both the president and his party. Trump is expected to use Tuesday’s event to highlight what he’s done to help the economy during his second term in office.
Yeah, that’ll work.