Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, economic frustration among American voters is creating a significant challenge for Republicans and President Trump. Despite the GOP traditionally being seen as stronger on economic matters, recent polls indicate a significant erosion of this advantage. A Fox News poll conducted in July 2026 showed only 24% of Americans view the economy as excellent or good under the Trump administration, an 8 percentage point drop from July 2025. Similarly, a CBS News/YouGov poll revealed that approximately 35% approve of Trump's handling of the economy, while 65% disapprove. Only about 29% approve of his handling of inflation.
Pew Research Center data from July 2026 highlights this shift, showing that Americans are now almost evenly split on which party they trust more with economic policies: 37% favor Democrats, and 36% favor Republicans. This marks a significant change from previous years when Republicans held a clear lead. For instance, a Reuters/Ipsos poll from the start of Trump's second term showed Republicans preferred by a nearly 2-to-1 margin on economic plans (40% to 23%), but this lead has evaporated, with only 32% preferring Republicans and 31% preferring Democrats in the latest poll.
The economy remains the top concern for voters, with 29% telling Pew Research Center they want congressional candidates to prioritize economic issues, particularly prices and affordability. This widespread dissatisfaction is further underscored by findings that 60% of Americans believe Trump's economic policies have worsened conditions, up from 52% in January. Even among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, the share believing Trump's policies have worsened the economy has risen from 18% in January to 28% in July 2026. This sour mood and erosion of trust present a clear danger to Republican majorities in Congress.
