Overview

• The Pew Research Center surveyed 3,445 U.S. adults from Sept. 22–28, finding 53% say President Trump’s economic policies made conditions worse, 24% say better, and 22% say little effect.
• Roughly 74%–76% rate the economy as fair or poor, while only 24%–26% call conditions good or excellent.
• Republicans remain more likely than Democrats to view the economy positively overall, though their optimism has declined.
• Rising personal costs led the reasons for negative views at 42%, followed by high inflation at 17%, with tariffs and the high cost of living also frequently cited; 16% offered negative mentions of Trump or the GOP.
• Looking ahead, 46% expect conditions to deteriorate in the next year, and separate polls this week show Trump’s approval at 43% and 47% blaming Trump and Republicans for the government shutdown.