Most Americans believe President Donald Trump is not focused enough on the economy, according to a new poll that reveals rising frustration with his agenda. The Morris Predictive Insights survey found that 68% of respondents think the Trump administration is prioritizing mass deportations over economic affordability issues.
Economic Discontent Grows
Amid growing discontent about the economic costs of his policies, including the war with Iran, two-thirds of Americans feel the president is neglecting their financial wellbeing. The poll underscores the political backlash Trump faces after admitting that financial pressures on Americans from the Iran conflict were 'not even a little bit' driving him to seek a peace deal with Iran's regime.
With millions of Americans set to travel over Memorial Day weekend, fuel prices remain at their highest levels in years. The national average gas price stood at $4.55 per gallon on Friday, up $1.35 from a year ago, according to AAA.
Federal Reserve Leadership Change
As Trump struggles to address affordability concerns, he is set to swear in Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve chair, replacing Jerome Powell, whom Trump has criticized for refusing to cut interest rates. Powell had warned about inflationary risks and economic uncertainty since Trump returned to office. Warsh now faces a darkening economic outlook, with inflation hitting a three-year high of 3.8% in April.
Confidence at a Low
Another poll from Gallup confirmed the trend, showing economic confidence at a four-year low. Nearly half of respondents (49%) rated the economy as poor, while 34% called it fair. Only 16% rated conditions as excellent or good, and just one in five said conditions were improving.
The Morris survey highlighted that dissatisfaction spans the ideological spectrum and affects policy areas key to Trump's 2024 election win. Even among Trump voters, 36% believe his administration has the wrong priorities, and 27% of loyal Trump voters think the president is on the wrong track.
Immigration and Economy Disapproval
Disapproval ratings on the economy and immigration now sit at -35% and -13%, respectively. A majority of voters (53%) favor redirecting spending from immigration enforcement to reducing food and grocery costs or lowering health costs and supporting programs like Medicaid. Similarly, 56% say mass deportation of immigrant workers is damaging the economy by raising costs for families, while 34% believe it makes the country safer.
Criticism of immigration enforcement is widespread, with majorities saying it goes too far when it leads to higher grocery bills after farm and food workers are deported, immigrant children disappear from schools, elderly people lose care workers, and restaurants close due to worker expulsions.
Midterm Election Warning
The poll also serves as a warning for Republicans in the upcoming congressional midterm elections. Some 16% of Trump's 2024 voters no longer plan to vote for the party in November. The primary reason is the faltering economy and rising living costs, cited by 51% of that group. Another 36% cited the president's personal conduct and rhetoric, while 24% blamed immigration enforcement and deportations.
