A new Fox News poll conducted less than five months before the midterm elections shows that a majority of Americans hold a negative view of the U.S. economy, with only 12% of respondents saying they are getting ahead financially and 44% reporting they are falling behind—a figure that has increased by 8 points since last year (36%) and by 3 points since June 2024 (41%) [1]. Overall, 59% of voters feel pessimistic about the economy, a 4-point increase from June of the previous year (55%), and a stark contrast to June 2019, when 57% felt optimistic during President Trump's first term [1].
The poll indicates that just 26% of Americans rate the economy positively, a slight improvement of 3 points since last month but still below the 31% positive rating from last June. Approximately 73% continue to rate the economy negatively [1]. Satisfaction with the direction of the country stands at 37%, which is mostly unchanged since March but down from 44% last July. Despite this 7-point decline, satisfaction remains higher than during most of former President Joe Biden’s term [1].
President Trump’s approval rating is at 39%, unchanged from last month but down 7 points from 46% in June of the previous year. His lowest approval rating for either term was 38% in October 2017. Only 20% of respondents believe Trump’s economic policies benefit everyone, while a majority (54%) say they help people with more money, and 15% say they help "no one". The share saying the president’s policies help everyone has declined from 31% in 2019 (Trump), 27% in 2023 (Biden), and 23% in 2015 (Obama) [1].
Party identification plays a significant role in economic perceptions. Among Republicans, 42% say Trump’s policies help everyone, 49% report holding steady financially, 50% rate economic conditions positively, and 66% feel optimistic. In contrast, 81% of Democrats feel pessimistic, 91% rate the economy negatively, 55% say they are falling behind, and 71% believe the president’s policies benefit people with more money [1].
Approval of President Trump is near record lows among some key constituencies, including men (43%), White voters (44%), White evangelical Christians (61%), and Republicans (81%). His support among White men without a college degree is at 50%, just 2 points above his lowest recorded level. Notably, only 23% approve of Trump’s handling of gas prices, indicating rare bipartisan consensus on this issue [1].
CONCLUSION
The Fox News poll highlights widespread economic pessimism among American voters, with most rating the economy negatively and expressing concerns about their financial situation. President Trump’s approval ratings and perceptions of his economic policies have declined, reflecting a challenging environment ahead of the midterm elections. Market sentiment appears cautious, with little optimism reflected in the data.