Trump tries to sell an economy voters aren't buying

Axios Axios —

President https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_blank">Trump's economic sales pitch is colliding with voters' sour moods on high prices and the economy as the 2026 https://www.axios.com/2026/07/19/republicans-midterms-hate-election" target="_blank">midterms loom.

Why it matters: https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/economy-inflation-democrats-consumer-sentiment" target="_blank">Economic frustration is giving Democrats an opening on the issue that often decides elections — and could help them erase Republicans' narrow https://www.axios.com/2026/06/07/redistricting-gerrymander-house-republicans-democrats" target="_blank">congressional majorities in November.

  • Trump has previously dismissed economic concerns, assuring voters that prices will come down and that affordability is an issue https://fortune.com/2026/07/23/trump-dismisses-affordability-democrats-made-up-word-oil-prices-100-barrel/" target="_blank">made up by political rivals to hurt his administration and the GOP.
  • But Trump's speech in Michigan is meant to tout the administration's economic policies — though they aren't sitting particularly well with voters.
  • The White House didn't respond to Axios' request for comment.

By the numbers: Roughly 35% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the economy, whereas 65% disapprove, per a CBS News/YouGov https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28516412-cbsnews-20260726-sun/" target="_blank">poll of 2,193 adults conducted July 22-24.

Zoom in: But the economy remains top of mind for voters, with 29% telling https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/07/PP_2026.7.23_midterms_report.pdf" target="_blank">Pew Research Center that they want candidates in their home district to focus more on it than anything else this election cycle.

  • Notably, neither party has an advantage down ballot on their approach to economic issues. 37% told Pew they most agree with the Democratic Party, while 36% said Republicans.
  • According to a Fox News poll, 54% feel Democrats would do better with the economy compared to 45% who felt the same about Republicans.

What we're watching: Who has the winning message for voters come November.

  • Currently, Democrats have an 11-point advantage (68% to 57%) over Republicans regarding enthusiasm for voters to go to the polls, followed by Independents at 41%.
  • Independent voters will remain a key voting bloc and are essential to win over for whichever party ultimately controls Congress beginning next year.

Go deeper: https://www.axios.com/2026/05/18/trump-approval-rating-second-term-low" target="_blank">Trump's economic polling is in freefall

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