{"id":2570,"date":"2026-05-22T15:40:47","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T15:40:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/05\/22\/most-americans-think-trump-is-not-focused-enough-on-economy-poll\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T15:40:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T15:40:47","slug":"most-americans-think-trump-is-not-focused-enough-on-economy-poll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=2570","title":{"rendered":"Most Americans think Trump is not focused enough on economy \u2013 poll"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2zxs1v\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"b097e1a0-fda6-4252-84bc-dae9c4e1822c\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"a man in suit stands on aircraft and looks at people holding microphones in his direction\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/e548272da06bef7fc9608fe2f3b6dc3b76bdf39d\/0_0_5578_3718\/master\/5578.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"309.9444245249193\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, on 15 May.<\/span> Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein\/AP<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"b097e1a0-fda6-4252-84bc-dae9c4e1822c\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, on 15 May.<\/span> Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein\/AP<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1aqe7zu\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">Most Americans think Trump is not focused enough on economy \u2013 poll<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>New polling shows rising frustration with Trump\u2019s agenda days after president said \u2018I don\u2019t think about Americans\u2019 financial situation\u2019 amid Iran peace talks<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-kn9unn\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Two-thirds of Americans believe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Donald Trump<\/a> is prioritizing his controversial immigration crackdown at the expense of their economic wellbeing, according to a new poll, in a stark warning for the US president about the unpopularity of his agenda.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Amid growing discontent about the economic costs of his decision to go to war with Iran, 68% of respondents said Trump\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/trump-administration\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">administration<\/a> is too focused on mass deportations and not enough on affordability issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The poll, from <a href=\"https:\/\/morrispredictive.com\/assets\/surveys\/tyg730HYHsJ\/memo.pdf\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Morris Predictive Insights<\/a>, illustrates the strength of the political backlash facing Trump following criticism of his admission that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/may\/12\/us-inflation-april-iran-war\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">financial<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/live\/2026\/may\/08\/oil-us-iran-ceasefire-uk-house-prices-food-prices-jobs-report-pound-bonds-elections-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-69fdef428f087a8ca712e0e3#block-69fdef428f087a8ca712e0e3\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">pressures<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/16\/us-readers-rising-gas-prices-iran-trump\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">on<\/a> Americans from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/us-israel-war-on-iran\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Iran war<\/a> \u201cnot even a little bit\u201d driving him to reach a peace deal with Iran\u2019s Islamic regime.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"36b2bf83-de7e-491d-b3d5-b567ed3efcdd\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-47fhrn\">\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-3 | 3\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-1kyw41h\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"5\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-1ljij2n\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/13\/trump-iran-war-americans-finances\" class=\"dcr-1m887w9\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-ut4tvs\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1h5b6rb\">\n<div class=\"dcr-169d7yv\">\u2018I don\u2019t think about Americans\u2019 financial situation,\u2019 says Trump amid Iran talks<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-eurq8n\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fkf7vq\">Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">With millions of Americans set to hit the road over Memorial Day weekend, US fuel prices are still at their highest levels in years. The nationwide average stood at $4.55 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA, up $1.35 per gallon from where they stood a year ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">As Trump struggles to shrug off mounting concerns over affordability, he is due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/05\/22\/us\/politics\/kevin-warsh-federal-reserve-swearing-in.html\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">swear in Kevin Warsh<\/a> as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/may\/13\/kevin-warsh-federal-reserve-chair\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">new chair<\/a> of the Federal Reserve.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Warsh is replacing Jerome Powell, who Trump has vehemently attacked for his refusal to cut interest rates. Powell has repeatedly warned over inflationary risks, and broader economic uncertainty, since Trump\u2019s return to office.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Warsh will confront a darkening economic outlook, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/may\/12\/us-inflation-april-iran-war\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">inflation hitting a three-year high of 3.8%<\/a> in April.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Evidence that the Morris survey was no outlier was provided by a <a href=\"https:\/\/news.gallup.com\/poll\/710450\/economic-confidence-sinks-further-worst-2022.aspx?utm_source=semafor\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">separate poll from Gallup<\/a>, which showed confidence in the economy at a four-year low.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Nearly half of all respondents, 49%, rated the current state of the economy as poor, against another 34% who ranked it as only fair. Just 16% of Americans rated current economic conditions as excellent or good. A mere one in five said conditions were improving.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">But it was the Morris survey that most graphically illustrated Trump\u2019s political problem, showing that dissatisfaction lay across the ideological spectrum and on policy areas that were key to his 2024 election win.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Even among Trump voters, 36% believe his administration has the wrong priorities, according to the survey. The figure was 70% among voters who said they had abandoned their previous support for Trump. And among loyal Trump voters, more than one-quarter, 27%, believe the president is on the wrong track.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"1ec075d1-3f50-46f6-9f11-769427a863e3\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-47fhrn\">\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-12 | 12\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-1kyw41h\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"5\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-1ljij2n\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/18\/donald-trump-second-term-approval-rating-drops\" class=\"dcr-1m887w9\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-ut4tvs\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1h5b6rb\">\n<div class=\"dcr-169d7yv\">Donald Trump\u2019s approval rating sinks to lowest point of second term<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-eurq8n\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fkf7vq\">Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">On his one-time signature issues \u2013 the economy and immigration \u2013 disapproval ratings now sit at -35% and -13%, respectively.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The polls also showed a majority of voters, 53%, favor redirecting spending away from immigration enforcement towards either reducing food and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/21\/trump-epa-refrigerant-rule-grocery-costs\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">grocery<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/mar\/14\/americans-struggle-affordability-despite-trump-claims\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">costs<\/a>, or lowering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2025\/dec\/31\/healthcare-americans-poll-data-insurance\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">health<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/apr\/12\/trump-budget-healthcare-military\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">costs<\/a> and supporting programs such as Medicaid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">A similar figure believe mass deportation of immigrant workers is damaging the economy by raising costs for US families. Some 56% say it is tearing families apart and driving up costs for everyone, as against 34% who say it is making the country safer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">There are also solid majorities criticizing immigration enforcement as \u201cgoing too far\u201d when it results in higher grocery bills after farm and food workers are deported, immigrant children disappear from school classrooms, elderly people and families are left without care workers, and restaurants are forced to close because workers have been expelled from the country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">In a warning sign for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/republicans\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Republicans<\/a> in the congressional <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/us-midterm-elections-2026\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">midterm elections<\/a>, the poll shows 16% of Trump\u2019s 2024 voters no longer planning to vote for the party in November. The primary reason is the faltering economy and rising living costs, cited by 51% of the cohort. Another 36% said they were put off by the president\u2019s personal conduct and rhetoric, while 24% blamed immigration enforcement and deportations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1rrvs2w\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/donaldtrump\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Donald Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/business\/useconomy\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US economy<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-politics\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US politics<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/business\/federal-reserve\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Federal Reserve<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/trump-administration\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">Trump administration<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/world\/us-israel-war-on-iran\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US-Israel war on Iran<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/usimmigration\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US immigration<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Most%20Americans%20think%20Trump%20is%20not%20focused%20enough%20on%20economy%20%E2%80%93%20poll&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/22\/trump-not-focused-on-economy-poll?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fmay%2F22%2Ftrump-not-focused-on-economy-poll&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/may\/22\/trump-not-focused-on-economy-poll\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1h2hraq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, on 15 May. Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein\/AP View image in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2572,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2570","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2570"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2570\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2572"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}