A new CNN poll conducted from April 30 to May 4, 2026, found that 70% of Americans disapprove of how President Donald Trump is handling the economy. This marks a historic high, as Trump never reached a 50% disapproval rate on economic issues during his first term, according to CNN.
The survey, carried out by Social Science Research Solutions, included a random sample of 1,499 adults.
"Trump's disapproval rating on the economy has hit a whopping 70% in the new @cnn poll. It never even reached 50% in his first term." — Aaron Blake, May 12, 2026
Economic concerns dominate public sentiment: 55% of respondents identified it as their top priority, more than double the share citing any other issue. The second-highest concern, the state of democracy, was cited by 19% of participants.
Despite widespread disapproval, the poll suggests a divided electorate on which party would better manage the economy. Meanwhile, 75% of Americans believe the U.S. economy unfairly favors the elite, while 48% argue the government provides excessive relief to those "who don’t deserve it"—a view held by nearly 10 percentage points more respondents than those who say the government isn’t doing enough.
The findings underscore the economic challenges facing Trump ahead of the midterms, with affordability emerging as a critical issue for voters.
Related articles
Trump Targets Louisiana GOP Senator Bill Cassidy Ahead of Primary Election
As voters in Louisiana head to the polls for Saturday’s primary elections, President Donald Trump is doing all he can to ensure that incumbent Republi...
How Donald Trump’s Own Words Contradict His Economic Claims
Will Saletan takes on Donald Trump’s own words on the Iran war, gas prices, inflation, and the economy — and methodically shows how Trump keeps contra...
Data Centers Threaten Historic US Battlefields and Suburban Communities
It’s hard to make a story about data centers interesting. I know this because that was the goal I gave myself recently: Report a data center story tha...
Virginia Democrats Fail to Act Against GOP-Captured Court Overturning Voter-Approved Maps
Last week, I wrote about how the far right’s capture of governing institutions like the Supreme Court has put Democrats in the jackpot, forcing them t...
Texas GOP Allegedly Backs Democrat in Key Runoff to Influence General Election
Tim Miller is joined by Johnny Garcia, a Democrat running in Texas’s 35th Congressional District, where a closely watched runoff on May 26 could help...
Trump's China Summit Fails to Deliver on Iran War Amidst Corruption Concerns Over $1.7B Fund
Tim Miller talked to Nicolle Wallace on MS NOW to give his take on Trump’s embarrassing summit in China, where Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinp...
Gavin Newsom’s Budget Plan Threatens Critical Home Care for 900,000 Californians
Wheelchair user Julia Feinberg, who has spinal muscular atrophy, is very aware that she will need more assistance as she ages in Oakland. She lives in...
Why Do Politicians Vilify Billionaires While Pushing Higher Taxes?
Our politics have been analogized to Veep. A more apt comparison some days is that we are living in a cartoon. Every good cartoon needs a supervillain...