Stories
Poll Finds 78% of Americans Blame Trump for Rising Living Costs Ahead of Midterms
F
Firstpost•09-10-2026, 16:38
Poll Finds 78% of Americans Blame Trump for Rising Living Costs Ahead of Midterms
- •A Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that 78 percent of Americans blame President Donald Trump's policies for rising prices outpacing their earnings ahead of the midterm elections.
- •Majorities across political parties, including 57 percent of Republicans, say costs have grown faster than their paychecks, undermining a central 2024 campaign promise to lower inflation.
- •Concerns over the economy, import tariffs, and the war with Iran have pushed Trump's public approval to record lows and threaten his party's control of Congress.
- •The national average price for gasoline and diesel has surged significantly, driving widespread dissatisfaction among voters regarding the cost of living.
- •While some voters are cutting back on dining out and entertainment, economic data shows wage gains are largely being neutralized by higher everyday prices.
Key Questions Answered
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 78% of Americans blame President Donald Trump's policies for rising prices that are outpacing their earnings ahead of the midterm elections.
The national average price of a gallon of gasoline reached $4.36 compared with $3.11 a year ago, while diesel fuel prices stood at $6.28 following a record run-up.
Policymakers and survey respondents attribute rising price pressures to a variety of factors, including aggressive import tariffs, the administration's war with Iran that drove up global energy costs, and unauthorized immigration.
