Majority of Americans say they’re worse off financially since Trump took office again: Poll

Published August 17, 2026 11:54am ET | Updated August 17, 2026 11:55am ET



The majority of the public believes they are worse off financially than when President Donald Trump won a second term nearly two years ago, according to a new poll that painted an ominous picture of Republicans’ electability in the 2026 midterm elections.

The Financial Times/Focaldata survey found that 53% of 2,152 respondents, including 24% of people who voted for Trump in 2024,  believe their economic condition has worsened. That number compares with 20% who said they were better off, and 26% who said they feel “about the same.” In the survey, 63% of respondents said they believe the economy is going in the wrong direction, including 37% of 2024 Trump voters. 

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