President Donald Trump started a tour of the West Coast, aiming to emphasize his economic successes. Despite his efforts, voter support for his domestic economic policies appears to decline. On Tuesday, Trump traveled from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles. His visit commenced with a speech at a Republican National Committee fundraising event held at his golf club in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. On Wednesday, Trump plans to attend an event in Las Vegas, Nevada at Red Rock Casino, where he is expected to focus on crime and economic issues.
The White House positions these trips as a way for Trump to showcase achievements in these areas and to highlight differences from West Coast leaders. “The President will draw a sharp contrast between his commonsense agenda and the radical policies of Democrats like Gavin Newsom, who keep raising taxes, inviting rampant fraud in taxpayer-funded programs, and protecting illegal immigrant drug dealers, rapists, and murderers,” stated Olivia Wales, White House Assistant Press Secretary, on the social media platform X. Newsweek reached out to both the White House and Newsom’s office for more remarks on Wednesday.
Voters Show Frustration with Trump’s Economic Performance
Despite the administration’s efforts to promote Trump’s record on the economy, polling data indicates rising public skepticism. Factors such as inflation and affordability issues contribute to uneasy feelings about the economy’s future.
For instance, a Harris Poll conducted for The Guardian in early July revealed that 95% of Americans perceive the U.S. as experiencing an affordability “crisis.” This sentiment crosses party lines with both Democrats and Trump’s core supporters expressing concern. Political consultant Matt Klink emphasized that voters judge the economy by daily activities such as shopping or fueling their cars, not by financial indices.
A YouGov/Economist poll from late July to early August showed a net disapproval of Trump’s economic handling, with only 30% of respondents approving and 65% disapproving. Views on inflation were particularly negative; 69% disapproved of Trump’s strategies, with 52% expressing strong dissatisfaction. Similar findings appeared in polls from Marquette University Law School, CNN/SSRS, and Fox News, showcasing Trump’s declining approval ratings on economic matters.
An AP-NORC poll conducted in late July corroborated these findings, showing only 32% approval of Trump’s economic management. Additionally, 69% considered the economy as “poor,” while many identified costs associated with groceries, housing, healthcare, and gas as major stressors.
Midterm Elections and Economic Perspectives
This emerging dissatisfaction spells opportunity for Democrats in upcoming midterm elections. A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Democrats gaining ground, with 37% of registered voters expressing more confidence in their economic strategies compared to 36% in favor of Republicans. This marks a significant change, as Republicans slip to second place on this issue since 2017.
Political expert Matt Klink suggested to Newsweek that Democrats must offer concrete solutions to the affordability issues in order to strengthen their position. Given lingering memories of economic difficulties during Joe Biden’s presidency, Democrats need to resonate with voters through actionable plans rather than criticism alone. If they don’t, the outcome of the November elections could remain contentious.