Just Over One Year Mark, Trump’s Failing Economy Leaves Americans with Buyers’ Remorse

January 22, 2026

Just Over One Year Mark, Trump's Failing Economy Leaves Americans with Buyers' Remorse

Just over a year into Donald Trump’s second term in the White House, the majority of Americans say this is Trump’s economy now and it’s failing. Voters overwhelmingly disapprove of his performance across most issues, with tariffs, health care, and the economy among his greatest weaknesses, according to a recent poll from  CNN and SSRS. Fifty-eight percent of adults call Trump’s first year back in office a “failure,” with 55% saying that his policies have made economic conditions across the country worse.

Polls across the board report a pessimistic public. Nearly three-in-five voters say they disapprove of Trump’s first year, with 63% expressing disapproval of how he has handled the economy, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. The Wall Street Journal finds that 58% of voters believe Trump’s policies are more responsible for their economic pain than President Biden’s, and, by a 15 point margin, say the economy is weak more than strong.

Groundwork Collaborative’s Executive Director, Lindsay Owens, offered her response.

“It’s no surprise that voters are disappointed in the Trump economy. He’s broken his signature campaign promise to bring prices down, and instead his disastrous tariff policies and refusal to address spiking health care costs have raised prices on everyday essentials, groceries, utilities and more. Trump has spent his first year back in office focusing on the exact opposite of voters’ priorities: petty political revenge for him and free rein for his wealthy donors, leaving working families with the bill.”

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