Loading article…
Only 19% of Americans approve of President Trump’s handling of inflation, as 68% of voters expect costs to rise further over the next 12 months.
Public confidence in the administration’s economic management has reached a low point, with just 19% of Americans approving of President Trump’s handling of inflation and 20% approving of his management of gas prices [1]. This widespread dissatisfaction underscores a significant political vulnerability for Republicans ahead of upcoming elections, as voters consistently rank the cost of living as their primary concern [1].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Inflation Approval | 19% |
| Gas Price Approval | 20% |
| Overall Economic Approval | 28% |
| Expectation of Rising Inflation | 68% |
The latest data from the Marquette Law School Poll, conducted between Sept. 2 and Sept. 9, reveals a stark disconnect between the administration's campaign promises and the public's perception of the economy [1]. While President Trump previously vowed to address the cost of living on his first day in office, 64% of respondents now believe his specific policies have actively increased inflation [1]. Only 18% of those surveyed credited his administration with decreasing inflationary pressures [1].
The financial strain is reflected in personal economic assessments: 38% of Americans report being worse off than they were a year ago, compared to just 19% who feel they are in a better position [1]. This pessimism extends to future expectations, with more than two-thirds of the public anticipating that inflation will worsen over the coming year [1]. The survey, which carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points for the general adult population, highlights a broader struggle for the administration, which currently holds a 37% overall approval rating [1].
While the public remains skeptical of current fiscal and trade policies—specifically citing the impact of tariffs on high costs—the broader financial landscape remains focused on the Federal Reserve's long-term mandate [1]. Former Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic recently noted that the central bank has demonstrated a consistent commitment to returning inflation to its 2% target [2]. This institutional focus on price stability remains a critical counterpoint to the political discourse surrounding the current cost-of-living crisis [2].
The widening gap between the administration's stated economic goals and the public's lived experience suggests that inflation will remain the defining issue for voters in the near term. Whether the Federal Reserve's efforts to stabilize prices can eventually align with public sentiment remains the central question for the economy heading into the next year.
Coverage is mostly measured — 278 of 286 reports stay neutral.
Every Monday — the token unlocks, Fed dates & catalysts set to move crypto and markets this week. So you’re never blindsided.
Free · 3-min read · one-click unsubscribe
AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 2 outlets · Sep 17, 2026 · How we report
Inflation is fundamentally caused by the expansion of the money supply outpacing the growth of real goods and services in an economy. This relationship is expressed by the quantity theory of money, which suggests that when money creation exceeds economic output, the general price level rises.
As of September 2024, 64% of Americans surveyed by the Marquette Law School Poll reported that policies under President Trump increased inflation. Only 18% of respondents believed those policies decreased inflation, while another 18% stated they had no impact.
Inflation is a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services, whereas deflation is a sustained decrease in the general price level. Deflation increases the purchasing power of money, which contrasts with the erosion of purchasing power caused by inflation.
Inflation is commonly measured using indices such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index. These indices track changes in the cost of a fixed basket of consumer goods and services over time.