A 59% majority of the public now says President Donald Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions in the country, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS, up from 51% in March and on par with the worst numbers Joe Biden saw during his presidency. Americans remain broadly unhappy with the nation’s economy, the survey finds, and there’s little enthusiasm for the White House’s sweeping new trade policies. With the impact of new tariffs still largely to come, 6 in 10 already say that Trump’s policies have increased the cost of living in their community, with just 12% saying his agenda has helped to bring prices down. Overall, 69% of the public considers an economic recession in the next year to be at least somewhat likely, including 32% who say that’s very likely. Just 34% of Americans call themselves enthusiastic or optimistic about the economy, with 29% saying they’re pessimistic and 37% that they’re afraid. Seven in 10 of those younger than age 45 express pessimism or fear, as do 76% of Americans of color. The widespread unhappiness with Trump’s economic stewardship marks a new chapter for a president who saw mostly positive ratings for his handling of the economy during his first term. Trump, who pledged during the 2024 campaign to ” immediately bring prices down, starting on Day One,” won handily among voters last year who said they were primarily motivated by economic concerns, according to CNN’s exit poll “Everything I worked for all my life is rapidly [disappearing],” one Republican man surveyed, a 59-year-old from Georgia who worried about nearing retirement amid volatility in the stock market, wrote in response to the poll. “It will probably take years to recover what I have lost due to what’s going on.” Still, Republican views of economic conditions overall have risen over the past month, and most in the GOP say they expect the tariffs to have positive long-term effects on the nation’s economy. Wariness of tariffs A 55% majority of Americans say that Trump’s actions on tariffs so far this term have been bad policy, with 28% calling them good policy, and 17% saying they’ve been neither. Views of the tariffs imposed specifically on Chinese goods are slightly less negative, with 53% calling them bad policy, and 32% saying that they have been good. The survey was conducted from April 17 to 24, after the White House first announced expansive new tariffs on dozens of countries, and then called a pause on many of them. A flurry of back-and-forth statements continued during the survey’s fielding on the state of international trade negotiations and the ultimate end goal of the tariffs. Americans say, 58%, to 42%, that they don’t believe Trump has a clear strategy when it comes to announcing and implementing tariffs. Most expect his tariff policies to have negative effects on the US economy in the short term (72%), America’s standing in the world (60%) and their own personal finances (59%), with fewer than 3 in 10 expecting the tariffs to help on any of these fronts. A smaller majority, 53%, expect the tariffs to hurt in the long term, with 34% saying they’ll end up helping. That reflects some faith among wary Republicans that the tariffs will pay off in the long run: While Republicans say, 47% to 27%, that the tariffs will hurt the economy in the immediate future, roughly three-quarters think they’ll help down the line. “I’m not an economics guy, but I can kind of see with what he’s doing with tariffs,” John Metcalf, a Michigan Democrat who was surveyed, told CNN in an interview. “It’s just causing confusion. If you are a business owner and you’re thinking about the future, how in the world can you make decisions when he flips back and forth every other day?” Views of economy remain gloomy Overall, 28% of Americans describe economic conditions as good, while 71% call them poor – numbers that have remained almost unchanged in CNN’s polling since fall 2023. Just under half of Americans, 47%, say they’re satisfied with their personal finances, also little changed over the past few years. Below that consistency, partisans are shifting in opposite directions. The share of Republicans calling the economy good has climbed 10 points since March, while the share of Democrats saying the same has dipped further. Republicans are more then 10 times likelier than Democrats to express enthusiasm or optimism about the economy. Yet there are signs in the poll that the president faces some looming discontent even among his own party. While 94% of Republicans say they have confidence in Trump to handle the economy, a smaller 63% of say that his policies have improved economic conditions, and just 23% credit him with bringing down the costs of living in their community. Nearly as many Republicans expect Trump’s tariff policies to hurt their own finances as believe that they’ll help, 28% to 33%. “The prices for energy, medical services, higher education, repair and maintenance continue to [rise],” one New Jersey Republican wrote, adding, “I think that Pres. Trump’s program will help once they are given a chance.” Asked to name the biggest economic problem facing their family, a majority point to expenses and high prices, including 28% who mention inflation, 15% the cost of living in general, and 16% food prices, all relatively unabated from the share who mentioned the same issues in June 2024. But some new concerns have risen as well: 9% mention tariffs, 7% say they’re worried about the stock market or their investments, 4% mention Trump and his policies, and 4% cite general economic uncertainty, all of which polled negligibly last summer. “My wife lost her job due to the Trump administration DOGE cuts,” wrote another survey respondent, a Democrat from Pennsylvania. “We are suddenly down an income with costs rising all around us. My own job is at risk due to NIH grant cuts. Our retirement accounts are plummeting in value. Everything is just so, so much worse than it was before Trump took office.” Among those currently working at least part time, 50% say they expect Trump’s tariff policies to hurt their industry, and 11% say they will help. “I make board games and they can’t be made in the US,” a man from Massachusetts wrote. “I have preorders I need to fulfill but can’t afford to with the tariffs. The profit I would have gotten from sales would have allowed my business to grow into a studio, hire people, etc. Now I will lose money.” While the Trump administration has argued that tariffs will help create new manufacturing jobs in the US, Americans say, 73% to 26%, that they’d personally prefer a job doing office work over one with the same pay doing manufacturing. A modestly higher share of men – 37% — say they’d prefer a manufacturing job, rising to 43% among men who align with the GOP. The CNN poll was conducted among 1,678 adults nationwide by SSRS from April 17-24, using a combination of online and telephone interviews. The survey samples were originally drawn from two sources – a probability-based online panel and a registration-based sample – and combined. Respondents were initially contacted by mail, phone or email. Results for the full sample have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.9 points. CNN’s Jennifer Agiesta, Edward Wu and Emily R. Condon contributed to this report.
CNN Poll: A growing majority says Trump has made the economy worse, with most skeptical of his tariff plans
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"CNN Poll Reveals Increased Public Skepticism on Trump's Economic Policies and Tariffs"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS reveals a troubling shift in public perception regarding the economic policies of President Donald Trump. Currently, 59% of respondents believe that Trump's policies have negatively impacted the economy, marking an increase from 51% in March. This sentiment reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the state of the economy, with only 34% of Americans expressing optimism or enthusiasm about economic conditions. The poll indicates that 69% of the public considers a recession within the next year to be at least somewhat likely, and a significant 60% feel that Trump's recent tariff policies are detrimental. While Trump had previously enjoyed favorable ratings for his economic management, the current discontent suggests a shift in public opinion as many Americans feel the burden of rising costs, with 60% reporting that Trump's policies have increased their local cost of living. Concerns about the economy are particularly pronounced among younger demographics and communities of color, with many expressing fear and pessimism about their financial futures.
Despite the growing skepticism about Trump's economic strategies, Republican perspectives on the economy have shown slight improvement over the past month. However, a majority of Americans, 55%, view the current tariff policies as poor decisions, with only 28% supporting them. The poll suggests that many Americans are uncertain about the clarity and effectiveness of Trump's tariff strategy, with 58% believing he lacks a coherent plan. Additionally, while a majority of Republicans hold confidence in Trump's overall economic leadership, only 63% believe his policies have positively affected economic conditions. The survey indicates that rising costs remain a primary concern for families, with inflation being the most frequently cited economic problem. Overall, the poll highlights a growing divide in economic perceptions, with Democrats increasingly pessimistic and Republicans showing a slight uptick in optimism, yet many remain cautious about the long-term effects of Trump's tariff policies.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a CNN poll indicating that a significant majority of Americans believe President Trump's economic policies have worsened the economic situation in the country. This shift in public perception is critical, as it suggests a growing discontent with the administration's handling of the economy, particularly in light of upcoming tariffs.
Public Sentiment and Economic Perception
The poll reveals that 59% of respondents feel that Trump's policies have deteriorated economic conditions, a notable increase from 51% earlier in the year. This decline in confidence mirrors some of the lowest ratings seen during President Biden's tenure, indicating a potential shift in voter sentiment as the 2024 elections approach. The findings suggest a widespread concern regarding economic stability, with many Americans fearful of an impending recession.
Demographics of Discontent
Younger Americans and people of color are particularly pessimistic, with a majority expressing concerns about the economic outlook. This demographic insight is crucial as it may influence voter behavior in upcoming elections, potentially favoring candidates who address these economic anxieties.
Tariffs and Economic Policy Skepticism
Despite Trump's assurances about tariffs, skepticism remains high among the populace, with many believing these policies will exacerbate living costs. The article highlights that only 12% feel his agenda has been beneficial in reducing prices, which suggests that the administration's messaging may not be resonating with the public.
Comparative Analysis with Previous Administration
The stark contrast between Trump's current standing and his earlier popularity regarding economic management underscores a pivotal moment in his presidency. The article hints at a potential vulnerability for Trump as he campaigns for re-election, particularly among voters who prioritized economic issues in the last election.
Implications for Future Political Landscape
This poll data could have significant implications for both the Republican Party and Trump's re-election strategy. If economic dissatisfaction continues to grow, it may energize opposition candidates and influence voter turnout in critical swing states.
Market Reactions and Broader Economic Context
The article's findings may impact market perceptions and stock prices, particularly for industries sensitive to tariffs and trade policies. Investors often react to consumer sentiment, and a growing belief in economic decline could lead to market volatility.
Global Economic Considerations
While the article primarily focuses on domestic economic sentiment, it also touches on broader issues such as trade policies that could resonate on the global stage. The discussion of tariffs may influence international market dynamics and the U.S.'s standing in global economic discussions.
Potential Use of AI in Reporting
There is a possibility that AI-assisted tools were used in crafting this article, especially in data analysis and presentation. Models like GPT or BERT could assist in summarizing polling data and identifying trends in public sentiment. However, the article maintains a journalistic tone that suggests human oversight in narrative construction.
In conclusion, the article appears to be a strategic effort to highlight growing public discontent with Trump's economic policies, potentially shaping the political discourse leading up to the 2024 elections. The framing of economic challenges may serve to rally opposition and influence voter sentiment.