Americans Blame Donald Trump for Rising Cost of Living
President Donald Trump faces record low approval as polls show a majority of Americans blame his tariffs and foreign policy for rising living costs.
Rising costs of living and cumulative inflation are shaping voter sentiment ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. While the current inflation rate has dropped to approximately 3.4% from a 2022 peak of 9%, everyday goods have increased in price by 30% since 2020. This trend, coupled with mortgage rates exceeding 7%, has eroded purchasing power as prices outpaced wage growth.
Donald Trump has attributed these economic pressures to the policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden. However, public sentiment has shifted against the administration. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 78% of Americans blame Trump's policies for the rising cost of living, specifically citing aggressive import tariffs and the war with Iran. These factors have contributed to record low approval ratings for the president and prompted the Federal Reserve to implement rate hikes.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers defended the president's record, asserting that he ended the inflation crisis inherited from the previous administration through tax cuts and reduced prescription drug costs. Despite these claims, a Wall Street Journal poll indicated that 60% of respondents believe Trump's own policies have worsened the economy. Economists note that voters often focus on the cumulative cost of living rather than the slowing rate of inflation when deciding how to vote.
