Polls show 44% of Americans report stable finances despite economic strain
New data indicates that while most voters see their personal budgets as unchanged, only 15% believe their money situation has improved.
By Samantha Reed ·
A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll reveals that 44 percent of Americans say their finances have mostly stayed the same. An additional 38 percent report that their economic situations have worsened. Only 15 percent said things have gotten better for them from a money standpoint.
These numbers arrive as President Donald Trump faces record-low approval ratings. Voters are blaming him for rising prices that have continued since he took office for a second term in 2024. His initial mandate to bring down costs has not been met.
The source of the inflation is partly structural and partly political. The war with Iran and Trump's tariffs have directly increased prices on goods and energy. The economy is bifurcated. Wealthy investors are benefiting from stock portfolios dominated by AI companies. Regular Americans are struggling with inflation that is outpacing wages, a middling labor market, and interest rates that are creeping higher.
High interest rates are making it harder to buy homes or cars. This financial pressure is angering swing voters. It is also firing up Democrats. They are adding their dissatisfaction with the administration's hard-line immigration tactics, cuts to Medicaid, and the slashing of regulations and the government workforce.
History suggests the president's party will pay the price. Only twice since World War II has the president's party gained House seats in a midterm election. On average, the party loses 26 seats. When a president's approval rating is below 50 percent, as Trump's is, the average loss increases to 35 seats.
Democrats have overperformed in special elections and cleaned up in 2025 off-year elections. They are favored to win control of the House. They are also in striking distance of winning the Senate, a goal that was once considered a longshot. However, structural challenges remain.
The Cook Political Report shows about 30 fewer competitive districts this year than in 2018. Mid-decade redistricting has helped insulate Republicans. An NPR analysis estimates Republicans netted an 8-seat advantage from redistricting. Depending on how Latinos in South Texas vote, those gains might be lower.
Trump is a drag on the GOP in ads, though he remains essential for base turnout. Republican candidates have stopped mentioning him frequently. Trump has deployed to red states to plead with his base to get out and vote. A quarter of Republicans in the poll said their candidate likely should not accept the results if the election is close. This leaves room for potential chaos if margins are tight.
Source: WLRN
