• New AP-NORC survey shows just 31% approve of Trump’s economic handling, down 9 points since March
• President touts stock market highs and falling energy prices while voters focus on housing and grocery costs
• Analysts note Trump rarely concedes any disconnect between his claims and public sentiment

WASHINGTON, DC (TDR) — President Donald Trump on Thursday broke from his long-standing pattern of dismissing unfavorable polling, openly acknowledging that surveys do not reflect the economic narrative he has promoted during the first year of his second term.

‘When Will People Understand?’

The remark, posted on Truth Social, drew attention from political analysts who noted that Trump rarely concedes any gap between his claims and public sentiment.

“When will I get credit for having created, with No Inflation, perhaps the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country?” Trump wrote. “When will people understand what is happening? When will Polls reflect the Greatness of America at this point in time, and how bad it was just one year ago?”

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The post came hours before the release of a new AP-NORC poll showing Trump’s economic approval at just 31%—down 2 points from November, 9 points from March, and his lowest rating on the issue during either term in the White House.

Trump’s Full Statement

In his Truth Social post, Trump blamed his predecessor while insisting conditions have dramatically improved:

“I inherited a MESS from the Biden Administration — The Worst Inflation in History, and the Highest Prices our Country has ever seen. In other words, Affordability, just 13 months ago, was a DISASTER for the American People, but now, it’s totally different! Prices are coming down FAST, Energy, Oil and Gasoline, are hitting five year lows, and the Stock Market today just hit an All Time High. Tariffs are bringing in Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and we are respected as a Nation again.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average did reach a new closing record of 48,704.01 on Thursday following the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate cut.

The Disconnect

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The post highlights a central challenge for the administration: despite some positive headline indicators, public approval of Trump’s economic stewardship remains stubbornly low. The White House has spent recent weeks promoting declining energy prices, stock-market gains, and tariff revenues, but polling consistently shows voters more focused on persistently high costs for housing, groceries, and other essentials.

A separate Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released this week found 57% of voters believe Trump is “losing the battle against inflation,” up 6 points from November.

The AP-NORC survey revealed stark partisan divisions: nearly 70% of Republicans approve of his economic agenda compared to just 7% of Democrats. However, even Republican support has slipped from 78% in March to 69% now.

Echoes of Biden’s Struggle

Some analysts noted Trump now faces the same trap that ensnared his predecessor. During the 2024 campaign, Trump effectively highlighted affordability concerns while Joe Biden struggled to convince voters that economic conditions were improving.

“Now it is Mr. Trump who is claiming that voters should not believe their own wallets,” wrote one New York Times analyst, noting the president previously dismissed affordability concerns as a “con job” by Democrats.

Current Labor Department data shows inflation at 3%, with food prices up 3.1% and energy costs up 2.8% compared to January. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, slightly higher than when Trump took office.

Can Trump reclaim the economic issue that propelled him back to the White House, or has affordability become a permanent liability?

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