Trump's Economic Performance Falls Short of Republican Expectations

Fri Jan 16 2026 17:12:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent AP-NORC poll reveals that President Trump's efforts on the economy during his second term have not met expectations among Republicans, with a growing dissatisfaction towards his handling of inflation and job creation.

Nearly a year into his second term, President Trump faces criticism from within his own party about the economy, as only 16% of Republicans believe he is effectively addressing living costs. While many Republicans continue to support him on immigration, concerns persist regarding his economic policies and performance.

NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly a year into his second term, President Donald Trump's actions regarding the economy have not lived up to the expectations of many in his party, according to a new AP-NORC survey.

The poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows a stark contrast between the economic leadership that Americans recall from Trump's first term and the current state, characterized by notable turmoil both domestically and internationally.

Only 16% of Republicans believe Trump has significantly addressed the cost of living, a drop from 49% in April 2024, highlighting a significant shift in perception regarding his economic effectiveness.

Despite the economic concerns, Trump's support among Republicans remains strong, especially in immigration leadership, which continues to rank positively among his base.

Comments from voters like John Candela, 64, from New Rochelle, New York, illustrate the ongoing struggles with living costs: Still paying $5 for Oreos, he expressed, although he remains hopeful for future changes by the end of Trump’s term.

The AP-NORC poll reveals that Trump's core campaign promise to reduce costs appears to be faltering, with inflation easing slightly yet prices on essential goods remaining high compared to their levels when Trump took office last January.

While overall satisfaction with Trump persists within the Republican base, there are indications that discontent regarding economic issues is growing. About 8 in 10 Republicans continue to approve of Trump's job performance, even as public approval for his handling of immigration has dipped slightly over the past year.

In terms of job creation, only about half of Republicans feel Trump has positively contributed in his second term, compared to a much higher percentage from his first term. On health care, the dilemmas are evident, with many voicing concerns over escalating costs post the expiration of federal health care subsidies.

As evidenced by the poll results, issues of immigration still hold sway over Trump's supporters, with a majority feeling he has made progress in this area, despite some reservations about aggressive tactics.

As the country navigates these complexities, there is a notable disconnect between the perception of the broader national progress under Trump against personal struggles with family finances.

Overall, approximately two-thirds of Republicans feel the country is better off since Trump assumed office, although only about half report personal improvement in their financial situations, indicating a dichotomy of experiences within the party.

For further analysis and insights, the AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,203 adults, including 404 Republicans, to reflect the current state of opinion on these pressing issues.

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