President Trump appears to be struggling in his handling of the economy, according to a poll of 8,000 people, but most say his policies will benefit them later on.
The Klaxon poll, first reported by Politico’s Playbook, shows that Mr. Trump’s job approval numbers are worse now than during his first term, with 35% cheering and 41% booing.
However, when asked about Mr. Trump’s pledge that the short-term pain from his economic policies, which include reciprocal tariffs on foreign nations, will be “worth it in the long-run,” 42% of voters agreed and 37% disagreed.
Republicans are betting on the passage of their One Big Beautiful Bill by early July to help boost the economy so voters in swing districts will come around to their side when the midterms heat up in 2026.
It should be noted that KFF Health News released an early June poll that showed the budget reconciliation bill, which includes tax and budget cuts, which affect health care, is viewed unfavorably by 85% of Democrats, 71% of independents but favorably by 61% of Republicans.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt touted the president’s “pro-growth agenda” that she said “is delivering for the American worker” through the first five months of the administration.
“Real blue-collar wages are up nearly 2%. It’s the strongest growth in nearly 60 years and a stark contrast from the negative wage growth seen during the first five months of the Biden administration,” she said at Thursday’s press briefing.
The White House cited the Council of Economic Advisers, which found that the One Big Beautiful Bill “will raise take-home pay by nearly $14,000 for a year for the average family of four … and increase wages as much as $11,000 for the average worker in America.”
The Klaxon poll, though, underscores a key portion of registered Democrats attracted to Mr. Trump’s economic agenda.
About 22% of these Democrats say Mr. Trump’s handling of the economy makes them likelier to support the Republican candidate in their district during the midterm elections despite the tariff turbulence of the past three months.
Finally, Mr. Trump’s strongest stance involves immigration. According to the poll, Democratic and independent voters like the way the president has handled this issue, with 49% of voters approving versus 33% disapproving.
A fourth of all Kamala Harris 2024 voters approve of the president’s immigration policy.
The poll ended just before the riots started in Los Angeles, triggering Mr. Trump to send in the National Guard.
