ICYMI: Americans Say They’re Worse Off Under Trump, Unhappy With Admin’s Lack of Focus on Lowering Prices

Forecasters Raising Recession Odds; Markets Tumbling with Tariff Chaos

New polling from CBS News reveals a striking shift in how Americans view President Trump’s handling of the economy. In January, 42% of Americans believed the president’s policies would make them better off financially. Now, just over two months into his second term, that number has flipped – 42% believe he’s making them worse off.

Groundwork Collaborative’s Executive Director Lindsay Owens reacted with the following statement:

“Trump is failing abysmally on the core promise he campaigned on: to lower prices for working families. American consumers are rightly upset that instead of making rent and groceries affordable, he’s enacting policies that push prices higher and drive the country into a recession.

“With prices continuing to rise, tariff threats causing chaos, and the GOP laser-focused on gutting Social Security and Medicaid to pay for billionaire tax breaks, it’s no surprise Americans are worried about where this Administration is headed.”

Email press@groundworkcollaborative.org to speak with a Groundwork expert about President Trump’s handling of the economy.

BACKGROUND

• President Trump is underwater on the economy. The majority of Americans surveyed by CBS News disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy and inflation.
• 64% of people surveyed said the president isn’t focusing enough on lowering prices, while 55% said he is focusing too much on tariffs.
• In January, 42% of Americans believed the president’s policies would make them better off financially. Just over two months into his second term, that number has flipped – 42% believe he’s making them worse off.
• Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi has raised his odds for a recession this year to 40%, after putting the odds at only 15% in January. This follows a swath of worrying economic data, including worsening consumer confidence, weaker consumer spending, and sticky inflation.
• Investment firm Goldman Sachs has hiked its 12-month recession odds to 35%, up from 20% earlier this year, and has slashed their S&P 500 target.
• Today, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit six-month lows on fears of President Trump’s tariff chaos.
• The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Survey found that consumers’ expectations for the future health of the economy are now at their lowest level since 2022.