Politics

Fox News Poll: Voters Give Poor Ratings to Economy, Congress and Trump

A new Fox News poll suggests that many American voters remain dissatisfied with the state of the country’s economy, Congress and President Donald Trump’s performance, with the rising cost of living emerging as the top concern nationwide.

According to the survey, economic anxiety continues to dominate public opinion. Half of voters (50%) say the cost of living is the most important economic issue facing the United States, far surpassing other concerns such as government spending, jobs, income inequality, tariffs and taxes.

The poll also highlights deep frustration with Washington. Only 8% of respondents say they feel “enthusiastic” about how the federal government is functioning, while another 26% say they are “satisfied.” However, the majority express negative emotions: 33% say they are dissatisfied and 32% say they feel outright angry about the way the government is operating.

Political analysts note that anger has become a powerful force in shaping voter behavior. Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who worked on the survey with Democratic pollster Chris Anderson, said political science research shows anger often motivates voters more strongly than hope or fear.

Interestingly, the partisan dynamics behind that anger have shifted. Early in Joe Biden’s presidency in 2022, Republicans were far more likely than Democrats to say they were angry with Washington. Today the situation has reversed, with Democrats now significantly more likely to express frustration with the federal government.

Congress itself continues to receive poor ratings from voters. Only 36% approve of congressional Republicans, while 64% disapprove. However, Republican voters remain more unified behind their party leadership than Democrats are behind theirs. Roughly 77% of Republicans say they approve of their party leaders, compared with 62% of Democrats who say the same about Democratic leadership.

President Trump’s overall approval ratings show strong partisan divisions as well. Nearly all Democrats disapprove of the job he is doing, with 95% expressing negative views of his performance. Among Republicans, however, support remains high, with 87% approving of the president.

Within the Republican Party, the survey reveals a notable divide between supporters of the MAGA movement and those who do not identify with it. Among MAGA Republicans, Trump’s approval rating reaches an overwhelming 98%. Among non-MAGA Republicans, approval drops to 63%.

Independent voters appear far more skeptical. About 72% of independents disapprove of Trump’s performance, and 78% believe he is focusing on the wrong priorities.

When voters were asked to evaluate Trump’s performance on specific issues, border security was the only area where he received positive marks. Fifty-two percent of voters approve of his handling of border security, while 48% disapprove.

On most other major issues, the president’s ratings fall significantly below approval. Trump’s worst ratings are on the cost of living, where only 32% approve and 67% disapprove. His ratings are also negative on tariffs, healthcare, the broader economy, foreign policy, taxes, jobs and immigration.

Economic concerns also appear to be affecting how Americans view their personal financial situations. The poll found that 57% of voters rate their personal finances negatively. The pessimism is especially strong among younger voters, Black Americans, women and households earning less than $50,000 annually.

Job opportunities are another major concern. Only 9% of voters say there are many jobs in their community that offer decent wages, while 15% say there are almost none.

Taken together, the poll reflects a national mood marked by economic stress, political polarization and growing frustration with government leadership.