Poll finds most Americans blame Trump for high prices

What the poll found

Most Americans blame President Donald Trump for high prices, and his approval on the economy has fallen to a new low in AP-NORC polling. The findings show that many people connect the cost pressures they face with the president’s leadership and are dissatisfied with his handling of the economy.

The two findings measure related but distinct views. One asks where Americans place responsibility for high prices. The other measures whether they approve of Trump’s handling of economic issues more broadly. Together, they show that prices are shaping public judgments about his economic performance.

The poll result is a measure of public opinion, not a direct measure of prices or other economic conditions. It also does not by itself show which specific costs matter most to respondents or why each person holds Trump responsible.

Why the distinction matters

Presidents are often judged on economic conditions that affect household budgets, including prices. Public assessments can reflect both personal financial experiences and views of the administration’s policies. Blaming a president for high prices does not necessarily mean every respondent assigns responsibility in the same way or for the same reasons.

The finding that Trump’s economic approval reached a new low offers a comparison with earlier AP-NORC polling. It indicates that evaluations of his economic leadership have weakened within that polling series. The result is not an election outcome and is not tied directly to a specific race.

Future polling can show whether these views persist, improve or worsen as Americans continue to assess prices and Trump’s economic record.