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AP-NORC Poll: Most Americans Blame Trump for High Prices as Economic Approval Hits New Low

By sterlingashworth // 2026-10-02

A new poll from the Associated Press (AP) and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 17% of U.S. adults approve of U.S. President Donald Trump's handling of the cost of living, while 26% approve of his handling of the economy – a new low for his administration, according to the survey. ^[1] The poll, released weeks before the November midterm elections, found that 65% of U.S. adults blame Trump's policies more than outside factors for persistently high costs, according to the survey. ^[1] The findings mark a shift in public sentiment from two years ago, when a plurality of Americans blamed then-President Joe Biden's policies for inflation.

Poll: Most Say Cost of Living Has Been Worse Than Expected

About seven in 10 Americans say Trump's handling of the cost of living has been "worse than expected," including roughly half of Republicans, the poll stated. ^[1] The sentiment reflects ongoing frustration with grocery prices and household expenses that have remained elevated throughout 2026. Forty-one-year-old Bethany Lnenicka of Fairfax, Iowa said in an interview with the pollster: "Groceries are just like kind of out of control. It seems like everything is going up." ^[1] Her comments echo concerns expressed by voters across party lines as the midterm elections approach, according to the survey.

Tariffs and Iran War Cited as Economic Drags

The poll found that 64% say Trump has "gone too far" on new tariffs – up from 58% in January – and 28% approve of his handling of Iran. ^[1] The U.S. military campaign against Iran, which began with strikes on Feb. 28, has entered its seventh month – with fuel prices remaining elevated nationwide, according to reports ^[2]. Pedro Sanchez, 52, of Perris, California, said in an interview with the pollster: "I think he has a lot to do with it. This war in Iran, the tariffs that he's placing on other countries, obviously are affecting us." The tariffs have been a central element of Trump's economic policy, though critics say they have raised prices for American consumers and disrupted global trade ^[3].

Republican Disapproval Rises, Though Some Blame Outside Factors

About six in 10 Republicans disapprove of Trump's handling of the cost of living, up from about half in April, according to the poll. ^[1] The erosion of support within the president's own party comes as overall Republican support for the Iran war fell to 60%, down from 73% in March, according to a separate survey ^[2]. Robert Gault, 66, a Republican from Bradford, Pennsylvania, said in an interview with the pollster: "I was hoping it would be better or different, but it's not really good." ^[1] Another survey found that 25% of Republicans say they are financially worse off under Trump's second term, according to a Financial Times/Focaldata poll ^[4].

Trump Faces More Blame Than Biden Did in 2022

Trump's 26% economic approval is near Biden's 28% in June 2022, but 65% now blame Trump's policies for high prices versus 44% who blamed Biden's in October 2022, the poll found. The comparison highlights how inflation has remained a persistent political liability for the current administration. Only about three in 10 Americans approve of Trump's overall job performance; about half approve of his border security handling, according to the survey. ^[1] A separate Reuters/Ipsos survey placed Trump's overall approval rating at 32%, down from 35% a week earlier ^[2]. The findings suggest that while the economy remains a top concern for voters, other issues may be driving overall approval numbers as the midterms approach.

References

1. The Associated Press. "Most Americans blame Trump for high prices as his economic approval hits new low, AP-NORC poll shows". October 1, 2026.
2. NaturalNews.com. "Republican Support for Iran War Falls as Fuel Crisis Grows, Polls Show". September 24, 2026.
3. BBC. "What tariffs has Trump introduced and why?". July 21, 2026.
4. NaturalNews.com. "Republican disillusionment deepens as Trump's second term economics and Iran war erode rural support". August 18, 2026.

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