The concern among Americans regarding their prospects of securing quality employment is notably rising, according to a recent AP-NORC poll, which is a significant issue for the Republican party, particularly as President Trump had previously promised a prosperous economy. However, we are now witnessing a stark contrast with hiring freezes and persistently high inflation disrupting this ideal.
Many households are grappling with a fear concerning soaring prices for essentials like groceries, housing, and healthcare. Alongside these, increased electricity expenses and rising fuel costs are also contributing to the widespread anxiety, as reported by the survey.
A striking 47% of adults in the U.S. expressed that they are either “not very” or “not at all confident” about their ability to find a decent job if the opportunity arose. This marks an increase from 37% since the last time this question was posed in October 2023.
Electricity bills are described as a “major” source of stress by 36% of U.S. adults, especially concerning the anticipated expansion of data centers for artificial intelligence, which could place additional pressure on the power grid. More than half of the surveyed individuals reported that grocery costs are a significant source of financial strain, with around 40% pointing to the impact of housing and healthcare expenses, and approximately one-third expressing stress related to gasoline prices.
This survey signals potential vulnerabilities for Trump, who assumed office again in January with assurances that he would swiftly address the inflation that surged during the pandemic under President Biden. However, his approval ratings regarding economic management remain disappointingly low amid a mix of tariffs, layoffs in federal employment, and bipartisan disagreements that have culminated recently in a government shutdown.
Linda Weavil, a 76-year-old from Greensboro, North Carolina, switched her vote to Trump last year believing in his business acumen. Yet, she has expressed concern about how the tariffs enacted by him have adversely affected inflation, making items like chocolate-covered pecans for a church fundraiser increasingly expensive.
She remarked, "While I think he performs well in various areas, I fear that rising coffee and chocolate prices can be traced back to the tariffs. It's a setback for everyday Americans."
Despite a presidential change, the public sentiment regarding Trump’s economic stewardship remains notably tepid. According to the poll, only 36% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, a figure that has remained stable throughout this year, even following his introduction of tariffs that led to widespread economic uncertainty. Within the Republican party, however, 71% express approval for his economic strategies. Yet, this level of approval may raise eyebrows, potentially signaling trouble for Republicans facing upcoming gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, as well as the 2026 midterm elections.
In contrast, back in October 2021, at a similar point in Biden's presidency, an AP-NORC poll indicated that 41% of U.S. adults approved of his economic management, with approximately 73% of Democrats in agreement. That approval rating was marginally higher than Trump’s, largely due to greater support among independents—29% approved of Biden’s economic handling, compared to only 18% who support Trump’s policies.
During Biden’s tenure, the job market experienced significant hiring growth as the nation worked to recover from pandemic-induced restrictions. In contrast, under Trump's administration, job creation has markedly slowed, with an average of less than 27,000 new jobs added monthly following the tariff announcements in April.
The changes in public sentiment are noteworthy. Four years ago, 36% of survey participants felt "extremely" or "very" confident about securing a good job; now that figure has plummeted to a mere 21%.
Though Biden faced a decline in economic approval through mid-2022 as inflation escalated to the highest rates seen in four decades, there was a chance for Trump to stage a political resurgence.
Electricity pricing emerges as a growing concern. Trump's decision to halt investments in renewable energy initiatives and the imposition of tariffs on essential materials for factories and power plants have compounded inflationary issues. These added financial burdens could burden consumers even more as new AI data centers are anticipated to necessitate more energy consumption without a parallel increase in infrastructure.
While 36% of respondents view electricity costs as significant stressors, others claim they haven’t yet felt the financial pinch seriously. The poll reveals that 40% see electricity bills as a “minor” hassle, while 23% have reported their utility bills are "not a source" of stress.
Kevin Halsey, a 58-year-old from Normal, Illinois, shared his experience of watching his monthly electricity bills rise dramatically from $90 to $300—despite having solar panels installed. Voting Democratic in the last presidential election, he characterized the current state of the economy as "disastrous," stating, "I have to remain pessimistic—I don’t envision any improvements ahead."
At the crux of the issue, Trump finds himself grappling with the same economic challenges that plagued Biden. Signs indicate a relatively healthy economy, illustrated by a low unemployment rate, stock market upturns, and reasonable growth figures. Yet the public continues to express skepticism about the economy’s overall well-being.
A notable 68% of American adults describe the economy today as "poor," while only 32% believe it is "good.” This sentiment aligns largely with the views held throughout the previous year.
Moreover, 59% report their family finances as "holding steady," but only a small fraction—12%—feel that they are "getting ahead," while 28% admit to "falling behind."
The widespread sentiment of economic insecurity is multifaceted, with evidence suggesting that many individuals perceive middle-class stability slipping further from reach.
An overwhelming majority of adults in the U.S. experience at least some level of stress regarding several aspects of financial health, including grocery prices, healthcare costs, housing affordability, taxes, wages, and gasoline expenses.
According to the survey, 47% of participants express that they are "not very" or "not at all" confident about their ability to handle unexpected medical expenses, and 52% lack confidence in having adequate savings for retirement. Furthermore, 63% indicate they are "not very" or "not at all" confident they could purchase a new home if they wished to do so.
The lack of confidence is pronounced among younger adults, with roughly 80% of individuals under 30 stating they feel "not very confident" or "not at all confident" about their capacity to afford a home, which is a sharp contrast to around 60% of those aged 60 and above who share similar sentiments.
For over half of U.S. adults—54%—the costs associated with groceries represent a "major source" of current stress.
Unique Hopkins, a 36-year-old from Youngstown, Ohio, now finds herself working two jobs following her teenage daughter’s pregnancy. She expresses feelings of barely staying afloat as part of the "working poor." Initially a Trump voter in 2016, she has since transitioned her support to Democrats, voicing concerns that his ego prevents collaborative solutions to national issues and highlights the difficulties in uniting people under his leadership.
"It feels like it’s all about Trump—there’s no room for collective effort," she articulated.
The poll conducted from October 9-13 involved 1,289 participants, using a sample derived from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is structured to accurately represent the U.S. population. The overall margin of sampling error for adults stands at plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
