As President Donald Trump hails a so-called “golden age” for the U.S. economy, most Americans remain unconvinced, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds. The survey underscores growing skepticism about Trump’s economic claims just months before the crucial midterm elections.
During his State of the Union address, Trump declared, “This is the golden age of America. The roaring economy is roaring like never before.” Yet the latest poll, completed on February 26, reveals that 68% of U.S. adults disagree with his assertion that the economy is booming—a sentiment that cuts across party lines.
Deep Divisions Within the GOP
Republicans themselves are split over Trump’s economic performance. While 56% of Republicans said they believe the economy is thriving, 43% disagreed, signaling internal doubts that could weigh heavily on the party as it defends majorities in the U.S. House and Senate this November.
In Dickson, Tennessee, Marcus Tripp, a 53-year-old manufacturing worker, voiced concerns shared by many voters: “The economy is what he needs to be focused on,” he said. Tripp, a Republican, emphasized that rising rent and daily living expenses matter more to him than immigration enforcement policies.
Cost of Living Tops Voter Concerns
The Reuters/Ipsos poll highlighted cost of living as the most important issue for voters, with only 16% agreeing that inflation is no longer a concern. Eighty-two percent of Americans, including independents, disagreed with the statement that there is “hardly any inflation,” and even 72% of Republicans rejected Trump’s claim that price hikes are no longer a problem.
Despite widespread skepticism, many respondents remain unaware of specific economic proposals from the Trump administration. For example, 44% had never heard of the White House plan to limit single-family home purchases by large investors, and 48% were unaware of Trump’s proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%.
Awareness was higher for tariff hikes, Trump’s most prominent economic policy since returning to office. About 78% of respondents had heard at least a little about the increased tariffs on imported goods, though opinions remain divided. Fifty-four percent expected tariffs to raise costs, including 69% of Democrats and 42% of Republicans.
Tiffany Ritchie, 50, an independent voter from Corpus Christi, Texas, described Trump’s approach as insufficient and impractical: “We’re not going to tariff our way out of this,” she said, reflecting the frustration felt by many Americans who question the administration’s economic strategies.
Economists predict modest growth for 2026, though a genuine economic boom appears unlikely. The online Reuters/Ipsos survey included 4,638 adults nationwide and carries a margin of error of two percentage points, providing a snapshot of American attitudes toward the economy as political campaigns intensify.
