President Donald Trump has received a new warning sign about Americans’ confidence in the economy just 70 days before the 2026 midterm elections, as a flurry of recent polls reveals growing voter frustration with his administration. The Conference Board announced on Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index decreased to 89.4 in August, down from 90.2 in July, with its Chief Economist Dana M. Peterson saying consumers “were more pessimistic about business conditions and the labor market over the next six months.” Economic concerns have hovered over the midterms, which are often a referendum on a president's popularity and handling of issues.
This year has seen poll respondents highlight issues like inflation and the cost-of-living. Democrats believe Trump’s declining national approval rating could drive down support for Republicans in key races and allow them to expand the battleground to compete in more traditionally conservative territory. Negative polling on the economy could be a red flag for Republicans hoping to fight off a “blue wave” in November.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai told Newsweek on Tuesday that “hard data of consumer spending and retail sales have, for months, consistently reinforced that the American consumer remains resilient thanks to the president’s proven economic agenda of tax cuts and deregulation.” “As the Administration’s economic policies, trade deals, and trillions in investments continue to materialize, Americans can count on more progress to come,” he said. The Consumer Confidence Index fell 0.8 points in total as concerns about inflation persist. References to prices in general—and oil and gas specifically—remain elevated.
Comments about war/conflict, food/groceries, trade, and jobs rose in August,” the report reads. The Expectations Index also declined, with net expectations for business conditions, the labor market and household income all softening in August, according to the report. The Conference Board’s Present Situation Index, on the other hand, improved, partly due to perceptions of strengthening employment conditions.
The number of consumers saying jobs are “plentiful” rose, while the number of consumers saying jobs are “hard to get” fell. Recent polls suggest that Trump’s approval rating has fallen over the past few months. A new poll from YouGov and The Economist found that 36 percent of Americans approve of Trump while 57 percent disapprove.
It surveyed 1,536 adult citizens from August 21 to August 24 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. It also found that 67 percent of Americans believed things are “off on the wrong track.” Disapproval of Trump surged to a record high in a new /Ipsos poll released on Monday, with 65 percent of respondents saying they disapprove of the president’s job performance. Thirty-three percent, meanwhile, said they approve of Trump.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
