GOP Pollster Delivers Tough News for Trump as Inflation Pressures Mount
The survey, conducted by the Republican-leaning Napolitan News Service, shows that just 43% of Americans feel they’re better off today than they were four years ago. That number has slipped slightly since May’s 45%, though it remains higher than the 37% recorded just before the 2024 election. Another 5% admit they simply aren’t sure.
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When it comes to keeping up with rising costs, the numbers look even worse. Only 27% of respondents said their income has kept pace with inflation over the past year — the lowest reading since the pollster began tracking the issue last fall.
Inflation Still the Villain
For Trump, who has made the cost of living a centerpiece of both his campaign and presidency, this is not the news he was hoping for. A majority of Americans — 56% — now directly blame his policies and rhetoric for ongoing inflation. That’s the highest percentage since the question was first asked 15 months ago. Meanwhile, 34% believe the problem is being driven by factors outside his control.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics offered a mixed picture earlier this month. While July’s consumer price index showed inflation holding steady at 2.7%, wholesale prices surged at their fastest rate in three years. Analysts warn this could signal a new wave of price hikes as businesses pass along the extra costs triggered by Trump’s tariffs.
A Divided Public Mood
The data underscores a persistent split in how voters view their own financial footing. Just last week, a separate Napolitan survey found the country almost evenly divided on whether household finances are improving or slipping backward.
For Trump, the challenge is clear: he must convince voters that his economic playbook is working, even as many feel their paychecks aren’t stretching as far as they used to.
With inflation continuing to dominate kitchen-table conversations, this poll suggests the road ahead for Trump’s approval ratings and his campaign narrative may be anything but smooth.
