Republicans are Also Increasingly Blaming Trump for Rising Prices Ahead of The Midterms, Poll Shows

Nearly eight in 10 Americans believe President Donald Trump's policies are contributing to rising prices, including a majority of Republicans, according to a new poll.

The nationwide Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 78% of Americans, including 64% of Republicans and 76% of independents, assign at least some responsibility to the White House for rising costs. This perception could prove costly to Trump and the Republican Party for the midterms next month.

Americans are confronting higher gasoline prices, expensive groceries, and borrowing costs that continue to strain household budgets. Fifty-seven percent of Republicans said prices were increasing faster than their paychecks.

The poll also found that 68% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of inflation, including 40% of Republicans. Roughly one-quarter of Republicans disapprove of his overall management of the economy, compared with 63% of independents and 92% of Democrats.

Trump's import tariffs and the war with Iran have contributed to economic pressures, particularly through higher energy costs.

Federal Reserve policymakers have responded to persistent inflation by raising interest rates, adding to the financial burden facing borrowers. Gasoline averaged $4.36 per gallon nationally on Thursday, compared with $3.11 a year earlier. Diesel prices reached $6.28 per gallon, hitting transportation companies and agricultural communities particularly hard.

Hispanic voters helped Trump secure his 2024 victory, but recent polling has shown declining support for the president among that electorate. The survey found that 54% of Americans believe the cost of living has increased significantly over the past year, including 40% of Republicans.

Households are responding by changing their spending habits. Some 63% reported eating at restaurants less frequently, while 56% said they had reduced spending on entertainment and streaming subscriptions.

Although economic data indicate wages are generally keeping pace with inflation and inflation reache, those increases have provided limited relief as higher prices absorb much of the additional income. The White House rejected criticism of Trump's economic record. "The president has delivered tangible wins for American families," spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Reuters, citing tax cuts and lower prescription drug costs.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey questioned 4,506 U.S. adults over six days and was completed Monday. It carries a margin of error of two percentage points nationally and three points for individual political affiliations.