Poll Reveals 59% of Americans Say Trumps Policies Hurt Economy

[Administrator]

Majority of Americans Think Trump's Economic Policies Are Harmful

The latest CNN poll conducted by SSRS reveals that 59% of Americans believe President Donald Trump's policies have worsened the economy. This percentage has grown from 51% in March, matching the lowest approval ratings seen during Joe Biden's presidency.

Concern Over Tariffs and the Cost of Living

As the country anticipates the full impact of new tariffs, 6 out of 10 Americans already feel these policies have increased their cost of living. Only 12% believe these actions have helped in reducing prices. Additionally, the survey notes that 58% of Americans are skeptical about Trump's strategy regarding tariffs, questioning whether there is a clear plan in place.

Economic Outlook: Pessimism and Fear

The overall sentiment towards the U.S. economy remains bleak. About 69% of Americans think an economic recession in the next year is somewhat likely, and only 34% are optimistic or enthusiastic about economic conditions. This concern is particularly strong among younger Americans and people of color, with a significant majority expressing pessimism or fear.

Disappointment in Tariff Policies

The survey shows that 55% of respondents consider Trump's tariff actions to be bad policy. Even more, 72% expect these tariffs to negatively affect the U.S. economy in the short term and diminish America’s global standing. Interestingly, while 53% think tariffs will harm the economy in the long run, 34% believe they might eventually be beneficial, reflecting some hope among Republicans.

Personal Financial Struggles

Many Americans are feeling the strain on their personal finances. Nearly 71% rate current economic conditions as poor. About half of the population is satisfied with their personal finances, a figure that has remained stable over recent years. High costs and inflation are the main economic challenges for families, with new concerns about tariffs and market volatility emerging.

Industry Impact and Job Preferences

Among those working at least part-time, 50% anticipate that Trump's tariff policies will negatively impact their industry. Despite the administration's claims that tariffs will boost manufacturing jobs, 73% of Americans would prefer office jobs over manufacturing roles, even if the pay is the same. Men and Republican-aligned individuals showed slightly more interest in manufacturing jobs.

Voices from the Poll

Many Americans shared their hardships in the survey. A Republican from Georgia expressed concern about losing his life savings due to economic instability. Another respondent from Massachusetts mentioned how tariffs have jeopardized his board game business, preventing him from expanding and hiring more staff.

The CNN poll, carried out from April 17 to 24, included 1,678 adults nationwide. It utilized online and telephone interviews to gather opinions on a range of economic issues, reflecting deep national concern about the current economic strategies and their long-term effects.

 

[Administrator]

Well, I reckon no matter who's in charge, us preppers need to keep our eyes on the ball. Those tariffs sound like a bad storm coming. Better to have your pantry stocked and not need it, than need it and not have it, right? Don't forget to rotate your canned goods, folks.

 

[AquaFern1028]

I have to say, as a retiree with a fixed income, these economic developments are concerning. The tariffs in question are impacting the affordability of goods, even the most basic ones. I just paid a visit to the local market and was shocked at the elevated prices - the cost of living seems to be escalating by the day. The impact trickles down even to my humble garden – you wouldn't believe how much the price of seeds and gardening tools have increased.

The tariffs - as the poll suggests - don't seem to have a clear strategy in place. If they're intended to stimulate American manufacturing, it seems counterproductive to impose policies that increase the costs of necessities for average Americans. It's an uphill battle to promote economic growth when folks end up tightening their belts because necessities are becoming pricier.

As an old librarian, I can't help but see this as a large scale version of a poorly planned library budget - you can't buy more books if you've spent all your money on fancy new computers, especially when your patrons can't afford the internet service required to use them.

And on a personal level, I can't stress enough the importance of self-sufficiency these days. I've been part of the prepping community for years and seen the benefits of having a can of beans or a jar of preserved fruit on the shelf when times get tough. I only wish more folks could experience the peace of mind this provides.

But what about those who can't afford to