Poll Reveals Sharp Decline in Voter Confidence Over Economic Management
Washington D.C., Saturday, 17 January 2026.
A new survey indicates negative economic sentiment now outweighs positive views by 15 percentage points, a stark deterioration from July that highlights growing voter dissatisfaction with current fiscal priorities.
Deepening Pessimism and Approval Deficits
The survey, released on the night of January 16, 2026, paints a stark picture of the electorate’s mood as the nation enters the midterm election year [1]. While negative economic views held a narrow lead of 4 points in July, that gap has widened significantly to 15 percentage points as of January [1][3]. Currently, 57% of respondents describe the strength of the U.S. economy as “not so good” or “poor,” while only 9% classify it as “excellent” [6]. This sentiment is reflected in President Trump’s job approval ratings; 54% of voters now disapprove of his performance compared to 45% who approve [1]. This represents a 9 point gap, a notable increase from the 6-point deficit recorded in the previous Journal survey six months ago [1][3].
Perception of Priorities and Policy Impact
A central driver of this dissatisfaction appears to be a perception that the White House is misallocating its focus. Approximately 53% of voters believe President Trump is prioritizing foreign affairs and other extraneous matters at the expense of pressing domestic concerns, such as rising prices [3]. Consequently, the President faces a 17-point disapproval gap specifically regarding his handling of inflation, a figure that has worsened from an 11-point deficit six months prior [3]. Furthermore, the administration’s argument that economic difficulties are a legacy of the previous administration is losing traction; 58% of voters now say President Trump’s policies are most responsible for the current economy, whereas only 31% attribute responsibility to former President Joe Biden’s policies [3].
Political Implications for the 2026 Midterms
Despite the broader shift in sentiment, President Trump maintains robust backing from his core constituency. Among those who voted for him in 2024, 92% continue to give him a positive job rating, with 70% expressing strong approval [1]. However, the widening gap in general voter confidence presents a strategic challenge for the Republican Party ahead of the House and Senate elections later this year [1]. While the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta recently raised its estimate for real U.S. economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 5.3% annually [8], there remains a distinct disconnect between macroeconomic indicators and voter sentiment. With official estimates from the Commerce Department due in February [8], the administration faces the urgent task of reconciling positive growth data with the financial realities felt by the electorate.