President Donald Trump
AFP / Jim WATSON
Most American voters say the United States is worse off than it was a year ago and believe President Trump is focused on the wrong priorities, according to a new New York Times/Siena College poll.
In the survey, 49 percent of voters said the country is worse off than when Trump began his second term, compared with 32 percent who said it is better. A majority, 57 percent, said the president is focused on the wrong issues. Trump's overall job approval stood at 40 percent, while 56 percent disapproved. Only 42 percent of respondents described his first year in office as a success.
Economic concerns emerged as a central factor shaping public opinion in the survey. Fifty-one percent of respondents said Trump's policies had made life less affordable, and only 24 percent said he had improved affordability.
More broadly, voters expressed dissatisfaction with his handling of major issues, including the economy, immigration, foreign policy, and the war in Ukraine. Independent voters were particularly critical: just 34 percent approved of Trump's performance, and 52 percent said the country is worse off, compared with 24 percent who said it is better.
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Other recent surveys reflect similar trends. A Fox News poll published in December found that 72 percent of Americans rate economic conditions as fair or poor, while 44 percent said they are falling behind financially. The poll also showed that 58 percent believe Trump is focused on the wrong issues, and only 39 percent approve of his handling of the economy.
Another December poll, this one from Politico, reported that nearly half of Americans struggle to afford basic expenses such as groceries, housing, and health care, while 27 percent said they had skipped a medical check-up because of cost.
Despite the negative assessments, partisan divisions remain pronounced, the Times/Siena poll found, as most Republicans continue to say the country is on the right track, while Democrats and independents express greater dissatisfaction. In a hypothetical 2026 midterm matchup voters favored a Democratic candidate over a Republican by five percentage points.
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Tags: Donald Trump, Trump administration, New York Times, Poll, Us economy, Immigration