A new national survey finds widespread concern over inflation, fuel prices and household expenses, creating fresh challenges for Donald Trump and Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections.
WASHINGTON, October 9, 2026: A growing number of Americans believe President Donald Trump’s policies are contributing to rising living costs, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The findings reveal economic dissatisfaction across party lines, including among Republican voters, as households continue to struggle with higher prices for essential goods and services.
The survey found that 78% of Americans believe the White House bears at least some responsibility for rising prices that are outpacing their earnings. The results highlight a significant challenge for Trump, who campaigned in 2024 on promises to bring inflation under control and reduce the financial pressure on American families.
The Ipsos Poll also found that 57% of Republicans said living costs were increasing faster than their paychecks. This suggests that concerns about affordability extend beyond traditional political divisions and could influence voter decisions in the upcoming congressional elections.
Economic Pressure Trump’s Policies Becomes a Major Political Concern
Rising living costs have emerged as a central issue for American voters ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The Trump’s Policies vote will determine which party controls Congress for the next two years, making public sentiment about the economy particularly important for both Republicans and Democrats.
According to the Ipsos Poll , 68% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s handling of inflation. Disapproval of his overall economic management also extended across political groups. Approximately 92% of Democrats and 63% of independent voters disapproved of his economic performance.
The results indicate that many Americans remain concerned about whether their incomes can keep pace with everyday expenses. Although wages have continued to increase, much of that growth has been offset by higher consumer prices, leaving households with limited improvements in their purchasing power.
The survey was conducted online across the United States over six days and collected responses from 4,506 adults. Its margin of error was approximately two percentage points for the overall population and three percentage points for individual political groups.
Fuel Prices and Tariffs Add to Household Expenses
Higher energy costs have become one of the most visible sources of financial pressure. The national average price of gasoline reached $4.36 per gallon on October 8, compared with $3.11 a year earlier. Diesel prices also climbed to $6.28 per gallon, placing additional pressure on transportation, agriculture and businesses that depend on fuel.
The Reuters report identified several factors contributing to economic concerns, including the administration’s import tariffs and the war with Iran, which has affected global energy prices.
Import tariffs can increase the cost of goods entering the United States, particularly when businesses pass additional expenses on to consumers. Higher fuel prices can also raise transportation and production costs, potentially affecting prices across multiple sectors.
These pressures have complicated the administration’s efforts to demonstrate progress on affordability. The persistence of inflation has also contributed to concerns about interest rates and borrowing costs.
The average rate on a 30-year US home mortgage was reported at 7.5%, significantly higher than the borrowing costs many homebuyers experienced six years earlier. This has made purchasing property more expensive and added to the financial difficulties facing households.
White House Defends Its Economic Record
The Trump administration has rejected the suggestion that its policies are solely responsible for the country’s economic difficulties.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said the president had ended the inflation crisis inherited from former President Joe Biden. She pointed to tax cuts, economic growth and lower prescription drug costs as evidence of progress.
Inflation reached a 40-year high during Biden’s presidency, becoming a major issue in the 2024 election campaign. Trump repeatedly promised to lower prices and improve the financial position of American households.
However, the latest Ipsos Poll suggests that many voters remain dissatisfied with the results. While the administration highlights its economic measures, consumers continue to experience higher costs for everyday purchases, including fuel, groceries and travel.
The survey also found that 64% of Republicans and 76% of independents believed the White House bore at least some responsibility for rising prices. These figures demonstrate that criticism of the administration’s economic record is not limited to Democratic voters.
Americans Begin Adjusting Their Spending
The pressure on household budgets is also influencing consumer behaviour. The survey found that 63% of respondents were eating at restaurants less frequently, while 56% were spending less on entertainment or streaming services.
These changes suggest that consumers are adjusting discretionary spending to manage higher essential expenses. Although the poll showed less evidence of widespread reductions in driving or missed bill payments, the reported cutbacks indicate that many households are becoming more selective about their purchases.
Consumer confidence has also weakened, reflecting concerns about the direction of the economy and the ability of wages to keep pace with inflation.
Nevertheless, economic dissatisfaction does not automatically translate into support for the opposition. Some Republican voters continue to support Trump’s broader agenda, including his approach to immigration and trade, despite expressing concerns about prices.
The survey found that 45% of respondents viewed unauthorised immigration as a contributing cause of higher prices, reflecting an argument frequently made by the administration.
Midterm Elections Could Test Trump’s Economic Promises
The new Trump’s Policies findings arrive at a critical moment for the Republican Party. With congressional elections approaching, voters’ experiences with inflation, fuel prices and household expenses could influence the outcome of closely contested races.
For Trump, the challenge is to convince Americans that his economic policies will deliver the lower prices and stronger purchasing power he promised during his campaign.
For Democrats, the results offer an opportunity to focus their election messaging on affordability and the administration’s economic decisions. However, the extent to which these concerns translate into electoral gains remains uncertain.
The poll ultimately highlights a clear concern among American households: economic progress matters most when people can feel the benefits in their daily lives.
As the November elections approach, the administration’s response to rising costs may become one of the defining issues shaping voter confidence, congressional control and the broader political debate over the future of the US economy.
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