Overview
- A Financial Times/Focaldata survey conducted Aug. 7–10 found about 53% of registered voters say their finances have worsened since President Trump returned to office.
- Roughly 64% of respondents told the Focaldata poll the U.S. economy is headed in the wrong direction and voters now favor Democrats on inflation, cost of living, jobs and the economy.
- A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Aug. 17 recorded Trump’s approval at 33%, the lowest level in that tracker and down sharply from earlier this summer.
- The Focaldata results show erosion inside the GOP with the president’s net approval among Republicans down eight points and about one quarter of 2024 Trump voters reporting they are worse off.
- Coverage links the polling shift to economic effects of the Iran war that have raised gas prices and borrowing costs, and the polls show Democrats with a generic ballot edge that makes retaking the House likely while winning the Senate remains harder.