Most Americans Blame Trump for Rising Grocery and Everyday Prices, New Poll Finds Published: October 2, 2026 Category: US Politics | USA News | Economy Rising grocery bills, fuel expenses, and everyday living costs are becoming major concerns for American households. A new national poll suggests that many Americans are holding President Donald Trump responsible for persistently high prices. According to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released on October 1, 2026, 65% of US adults say Trump's policies are more responsible for higher-than-usual prices than factors outside his control. The findings highlight growing public frustration over affordability as the United States approaches the November 2026 midterm elections. 65% of Americans Blame Trump's Policies for High Prices The AP-NORC survey found that nearly two-thirds of American adults attribute persistently high prices to Trump's policies. The poll also revealed that only 17% of US adults approve of Trump's handling of the cost of living, while 26% approve of his overall economic performance. These figures indicate that affordability remains a significant issue in the national political discussion. However, opinions differ across political groups. According to the survey, 67% of Republicans believe factors outside Trump's control are more responsible for higher prices. Grocery and Gas Prices Increase Household Concerns The rising cost of everyday necessities continues to affect household budgets. Groceries, gasoline, transportation, and other essential expenses are among the issues Americans are discussing as they evaluate the country's economic situation. The AP-NORC poll found that approximately half of US adults are extremely or very concerned about being able to afford food and fill their vehicle fuel tanks. Concern about gasoline affordability increased from 39% in July to approximately 50% in the latest survey. These findings reflect the importance of everyday expenses in shaping public perceptions of the economy. Why Are Americans Concerned About Trump's Economic Policies? Several economic and political developments have contributed to the current debate over affordability. 1. Tariffs and Trade Policy Trump's administration has implemented an aggressive tariff strategy as part of its trade policy. While supporters argue that tariffs can protect domestic industries and strengthen American manufacturing, critics have raised concerns about potential effects on consumer prices and businesses. The AP-NORC findings show that 64% of US adults believe Trump has gone too far with new tariffs on other countries. 2. Fuel Costs and International Conflict Energy prices have also become an important political issue. The ongoing conflict involving Iran has contributed to public concerns about fuel affordability and economic uncertainty. The poll found that 69% of Americans believe the war with Iran has not been worth fighting. 3. Cost-of-Living Expectations During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly emphasized lowering prices and improving household affordability. However, the latest survey found that approximately seven in ten Americans believe his handling of the cost of living has been worse than expected. This dissatisfaction also extends to some Republican voters. Trump's Economic Approval Faces Pressure The AP-NORC poll found that Trump's approval rating for handling the economy has declined compared with March 2025. Only 26% of US adults approve of his overall economic performance, while 17% approve of his handling of the cost of living. The results suggest that economic concerns are affecting public assessments of the administration. Nevertheless, the poll also shows that many Republicans continue to attribute high prices to factors beyond the president's control. Why Rising Prices Matter Ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections The November 2026 midterm elections will determine control of Congress and several state governments. Economic conditions, grocery prices, fuel costs, and household affordability are likely to remain important subjects in campaign discussions. Candidates from both major political parties are addressing the cost of living as they communicate their economic priorities to voters. The latest AP-NORC findings provide a snapshot of public opinion rather than a prediction of election results. What the AP-NORC Poll Actually Found The survey was conducted from September 24 to September 28, 2026, among 2,140 US adults using NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel. The overall margin of sampling error was approximately plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. Key findings include: - 65% blame Trump's policies for higher-than-usual prices. - 17% approve of Trump's handling of the cost of living. - 26% approve of his overall economic performance. - Approximately 50% are highly concerned about affording groceries and gasoline. - 69% say Trump's handling of living costs has been worse than expected. - 67% of Republicans attribute higher prices primarily to factors outside Trump's control. These figures reflect respondents' opinions and do not independently establish the causes of inflation or price changes. Conclusion The latest AP-NORC poll highlights widespread concern about the cost of living in the United States. With 65% of adults attributing higher-than-usual prices to Trump's policies, economic affordability has become a prominent issue in the country's political conversation. Grocery expenses, fuel prices, tariffs, and international developments remain central to the debate over the administration's economic performance. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the cost of everyday necessities is expected to remain an important topic for American voters. Source: Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, October 1, 2026. Disclaimer: This article summarizes polling results and reported political developments for informational purposes. Poll findings represent public opinion and should not be interpreted as proof of individual policy effects. #USPolitics #DonaldTrump #USNews #Inflation #GroceryPrices #CostOfLiving #AmericanPolitics #EconomicNews

Most Americans Blame Trump for Rising Grocery and Everyday Prices, New Poll Finds Published: October 2, 2026 Category: US Politics | USA News | Economy Rising grocery bills, fuel expenses, and everyday living costs are becoming major concerns for American households. A new national poll suggests that many Americans are holding President Donald Trump responsible for persistently high prices. According to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released on October 1, 2026, 65% of US adults say Trump's policies are more responsible for higher-than-usual prices than factors outside his control. The findings highlight growing public frustration over affordability as the United States approaches the November 2026 midterm elections. 65% of Americans Blame Trump's Policies for High Prices The AP-NORC survey found that nearly two-thirds of American adults attribute persistently high prices to Trump's policies. The poll also revealed that only 17% of US adults approve of Trump's handling of the cost of living, while 26% approve of his overall economic performance. These figures indicate that affordability remains a significant issue in the national political discussion. However, opinions differ across political groups. According to the survey, 67% of Republicans believe factors outside Trump's control are more responsible for higher prices. Grocery and Gas Prices Increase Household Concerns The rising cost of everyday necessities continues to affect household budgets. Groceries, gasoline, transportation, and other essential expenses are among the issues Americans are discussing as they evaluate the country's economic situation. The AP-NORC poll found that approximately half of US adults are extremely or very concerned about being able to afford food and fill their vehicle fuel tanks. Concern about gasoline affordability increased from 39% in July to approximately 50% in the latest survey. These findings reflect the importance of everyday expenses in shaping public perceptions of the economy. Why Are Americans Concerned About Trump's Economic Policies? Several economic and political developments have contributed to the current debate over affordability. 1. Tariffs and Trade Policy Trump's administration has implemented an aggressive tariff strategy as part of its trade policy. While supporters argue that tariffs can protect domestic industries and strengthen American manufacturing, critics have raised concerns about potential effects on consumer prices and businesses. The AP-NORC findings show that 64% of US adults believe Trump has gone too far with new tariffs on other countries. 2. Fuel Costs and International Conflict Energy prices have also become an important political issue. The ongoing conflict involving Iran has contributed to public concerns about fuel affordability and economic uncertainty. The poll found that 69% of Americans believe the war with Iran has not been worth fighting. 3. Cost-of-Living Expectations During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly emphasized lowering prices and improving household affordability. However, the latest survey found that approximately seven in ten Americans believe his handling of the cost of living has been worse than expected. This dissatisfaction also extends to some Republican voters. Trump's Economic Approval Faces Pressure The AP-NORC poll found that Trump's approval rating for handling the economy has declined compared with March 2025. Only 26% of US adults approve of his overall economic performance, while 17% approve of his handling of the cost of living. The results suggest that economic concerns are affecting public assessments of the administration. Nevertheless, the poll also shows that many Republicans continue to attribute high prices to factors beyond the president's control. Why Rising Prices Matter Ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections The November 2026 midterm elections will determine control of Congress and several state governments. Economic conditions, grocery prices, fuel costs, and household affordability are likely to remain important subjects in campaign discussions. Candidates from both major political parties are addressing the cost of living as they communicate their economic priorities to voters. The latest AP-NORC findings provide a snapshot of public opinion rather than a prediction of election results. What the AP-NORC Poll Actually Found The survey was conducted from September 24 to September 28, 2026, among 2,140 US adults using NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel. The overall margin of sampling error was approximately plus or minus 2.9 percentage points. Key findings include: - 65% blame Trump's policies for higher-than-usual prices. - 17% approve of Trump's handling of the cost of living. - 26% approve of his overall economic performance. - Approximately 50% are highly concerned about affording groceries and gasoline. - 69% say Trump's handling of living costs has been worse than expected. - 67% of Republicans attribute higher prices primarily to factors outside Trump's control. These figures reflect respondents' opinions and do not independently establish the causes of inflation or price changes. Conclusion The latest AP-NORC poll highlights widespread concern about the cost of living in the United States. With 65% of adults attributing higher-than-usual prices to Trump's policies, economic affordability has become a prominent issue in the country's political conversation. Grocery expenses, fuel prices, tariffs, and international developments remain central to the debate over the administration's economic performance. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the cost of everyday necessities is expected to remain an important topic for American voters. Source: Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, October 1, 2026. Disclaimer: This article summarizes polling results and reported political developments for informational purposes. Poll findings represent public opinion and should not be interpreted as proof of individual policy effects. #USPolitics #DonaldTrump #USNews #Inflation #GroceryPrices #CostOfLiving #AmericanPolitics #EconomicNews