Trump's Leadership on Issues
The core issues on voters' minds
If you’ve found yourself wondering why so much of the 2026 election seems to be focused on affordability, cost of living, or general pocketbooks issues then you’re probably part of the quarter of Americans who approve of President Trump’s handling of inflation.
But for everyone else, economic and personal financial concerns are shaping up to be the top issues on voters minds heading into the election. And it is no wonder that it is these issues that is driving down support for the president and his party, while sending support to congressional Democrats.
In 2024, 45% of Americans rated their personal financial situation as worse than four years prior during Trump’s first term. 75% of Americans had said then that inflation was causing them some sort of hardship. Trump won voters who rated the economy in 2024 as bad 69-29%. That was the ball game. For all that was said in the 2024 election (and there was a lot said), it ultimately boiled down to a pocketbook election for voters — as most elections do.
So, Trump rode back into office on the strength of peoples concerns with Joe Biden’s and the Democrats handling of the economy. People expected Trump to quickly get a handle on things to improve the economy, tame inflation, and while he was at it, secure the border. While he never enjoyed majority support on his handling of these core issues, he began his second term with more goodwill from Americans to get the job done.
A year and a half on, his approval numbers on each of these has soured while the disapproval rating has soared. A midterm election is all about how Americans feel about the person in the White House and his party, making it an uphill climb for Republicans in Congress up for re-election.
