Trump's Terms Trump's economic approval hits a new low at 36%, poll finds
Dec 18, 2025
Domenico Montanaro, NPR's senior political editor known for his insightful analysis on political polling, dives into the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll revealing that only 36% of Americans approve of Trump's economic handling—his lowest score in six years. He discusses the overwhelming affordability issues faced by Americans, with 70% expressing concerns about living costs. Montanaro highlights rising debt levels and shifts in Latino support, indicating a potential political shift that could spell trouble for Republicans and Trump.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Affordability Is Driving Economic Anxiety
- A large majority of Americans say their local area is no longer affordable for average families.
- Price increases top respondents' economic concerns, far above housing or jobs.
Many Households Living Paycheck To Paycheck
- Seven in ten respondents say monthly expenses match or exceed income, signalling widespread financial strain.
- About 64 million adults are effectively accruing month-to-month debt, Montanaro calculates.
Health Costs And Demographic Gaps
- Health care costs worry a majority who fear they won't afford services in the next year.
- Economic stress disproportionately hits Black, Latino, women, younger, and lower-income respondents.