Americans are growing increasingly concerned about their ability to find a good job under President Donald Trump, an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs poll finds, in what is a potential warning sign for Republicans as a promised economic boom has given way to hiring freezes and elevated inflation.
TL;DR
- Americans are increasingly concerned about finding good jobs under President Trump.
- Elevated costs for groceries, housing, and medical expenses are causing significant financial stress.
- Confidence in securing a good job has decreased significantly since October 2023.
- Many Americans feel economic insecurity, with a majority viewing the U.S. economy as "poor."
Concerns about elevated costs for groceries, housing, and medical expenses continue to trouble numerous families, with increasing utility rates and fuel prices at service stations also contributing to worry, the survey indicates.
Some 47% of U.S. Adults are “not very” or “not at all confident” they could find a good job if they wanted to, an increase from 37% when the question was last asked in October 2023.
Electricity bills are a “major” source of stress for 36% of U.S. Adults at a time when the expected build-out of data centers for artificial intelligence could further tax the power grid. Just more than one-half said the cost of groceries are a “major” source of financial stress, about 4 in 10 said the cost of housing and health care were a serious strain and about one-third said they were feeling high stress about gasoline prices.
The survey suggests an ongoing vulnerability for Trump, who returned to the White House in January with claims he could quickly tame the inflation that surged after the pandemic during Democratic President Joe Biden’s term. Instead, Trump’s popularity on the economy has remained low amid a mix of tariffs, federal worker layoffs and partisan sniping that has culminated in a government shutdown.
Linda Weavil, 76, voted for Trump last year because he “seems like a smart businessman.” But she said in an interview that the Republican’s tariffs have worsened inflation, citing the chocolate-covered pecans sold for her church group fundraiser that now cost more.
“I think he’s doing a great job on a lot of things, but I’m afraid our coffee and chocolate prices have gone up because of tariffs,” the retiree from Greensboro, North Carolina, said. “That’s a kick in the back of the American people.”
Voters changed presidents, but they’re not feeling better about Trump’s economy
A poll revealed that 36% of American adults are satisfied with Trump's economic management, a number that has held steady this year following his imposition of tariffs, which led to widespread economic doubt. Seventy-one percent of Republicans express a favorable view of his economic direction. However, this level of approval within Trump's party is somewhat diminished, potentially posing challenges for Republicans in the upcoming gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia, and possibly in the 2026 midterm elections.
In October 2021, around the same juncture of Biden’s presidency, an AP-NORC survey indicated that 41% of American adults approved of his economic management, with approximately 73% of Democrats in agreement. This overall figure surpassed Trump’s by a small margin, largely due to independent voters; 29% approved of Biden's economic handling, contrasting with the 18% who presently back Trump's strategy.
During Biden's term, the job market showed significant strength in hiring as the U.S. Rebounded from pandemic shutdowns. However, hiring has decelerated considerably under Trump, with average monthly job increases falling below 27,000 following the April tariff announcements.
People see that difference.
Four years ago, 36% of those in the survey were “extremely” or “very” confident in their ability to get a good job, but that has fallen to 21% now.
Biden’s approval on the economy steadily deteriorated through the middle of 2022 when inflation hit a four-decade high, creating an opening for Trump’s political comeback.
Electricity costs are an emerging worry
Trump's decisions, such as cutting funding for renewable energy initiatives and implementing tariffs on necessary equipment for factories and power plants, have exacerbated inflation issues. These increased expenses precede the expected construction of AI data centers, which could drive prices higher due to a lack of additional building capacity.
While 36% consider electricity a significant worry, some individuals haven't yet experienced substantial financial pressure. The survey revealed that 40% labeled electricity expenses as a “minor” stressor, and 23% indicated their utility bills contribute “not a source” to their stress.
Kevin Halsey, a 58-year-old from Normal, Illinois, noted that his summer electricity expenses, which previously averaged $90 due to solar panels, have now escalated to $300. Halsey, employed in telecommunications, cast a vote for The Democratic party in the previous year's presidential race and characterized the current economic situation as “crap.”
“I’ve got to be pessimistic,” he said. “I don’t see this as getting better.”
Fundamentally, Trump faces the identical economic quandary that troubled Biden. While indicators suggest the economy is still fairly robust, marked by low unemployment, rising stock values, and respectable growth, the public remains unconvinced about its well-being.
Approximately 68% of American adults characterize the current U.S. Economy as “poor,”, whereas 32% believe it is “good.”. This sentiment has remained fairly stable compared to evaluations of the economy throughout the preceding year.
Additionally, 59% report their household finances are “holding steady.” While a mere 12% feel they are “getting ahead,” and 28% indicate they are “falling behind.”
People see plenty of expenses but few opportunities
A feeling of economic insecurity is emerging from various sources, suggesting that many believe middle-class financial stability is becoming unattainable.
The vast majority of U.S. Adults feel at least “minor” stress about the cost of groceries, health care, housing, the amount they pay in taxes, what they are paid at work and the cost of gas for their cars.
The survey revealed that 47% of respondents expressed either “not very” or “not at all” confidence in their ability to cover an unforeseen medical cost. Furthermore, 52% indicated a lack of confidence regarding sufficient retirement savings. Additionally, 63% felt “not very” or “not at all” confident about their capacity to purchase a new home should they choose to do so.
Young adults are much less confident about their ability to buy a house, though confidence is not especially high across the board. About 8 in 10 U.S. Adults under age 30 say they are “not very confident” or “not at all confident” they would be able to buy a house, compared with about 6 in 10 adults 60 and older.
For 54% of U.S. Adults, the cost of groceries is a “major source” of stress in their life right now.
Unique Hopkins, a 36-year-old from Youngstown, Ohio, stated she's now employed at two jobs since her teenage daughter had a child, leaving Hopkins feeling like she's barely staying afloat within the “working poor.” She cast her vote for Trump in 2016, but later shifted to the Democrats, believing his ego hindered his ability to unify the nation and resolve issues.
“It’s his way or no way,” she said. “Nobody is going to unite with Trump if it’s all about you, you, you.”