Fox News contributor Jessica Tarlov is speaking out about how Americans feel about the economy under President Donald Trump.
In a post on X, Tarlov wrote, “Trump wants us focused on Hunter and 2016 distractions instead of this: 52% think we’re in a recession, 64% say the economy’s getting worse, 70% say Trump hasn’t done enough on prices, and 62% say his policies raise food costs. His approval? Just 42%. The Golden Age sucks.”
Poll Numbers Show Deep Economic Anxiety
A new survey from the American Research Group (ARG), conducted July 17-20 confirms much of what Tarlov pointed out.
According to the ARG data, 52% of Americans believe the economy is already in a recession, and 64% say it’s getting worse.
These numbers suggest that many Americans are feeling the squeeze, even if official metrics don’t yet reflect a recession.
Only 11% think the economy is improving. Just 22% rate it as excellent, very good, or good, while 73% call it bad, very bad, or terrible, showing a clear gap between public sentiment and political narratives about economic strength.
Looking ahead, 60% believe the national economy will be worse a year from now, and just 16% say it will be better.
Trump’s Approval Flatlines
Trump’s overall job approval stands at 38%, with 59% disapproving, unchanged from June.
This stability suggests that most Americans have already made up their minds about his performance.
On the economy, only 35% approve of how he’s handling it, while 62% disapprove. That number reflects broad concern over inflation, food prices, and economic uncertainty.
Support remains sharply divided along party lines. Among Republicans, 79% back Trump’s job performance, compared to just 3% of Democrats and 34% of independents.
When it comes to the economy, 72% of Republicans approve, but approval drops to just 2% among Democrats and 31% among independents.
The numbers highlight Trump’s ongoing popularity with his base, but also the uphill battle he faces in gaining broader support from the rest of the country.
Household Finances Under Pressure
The sense of financial strain extends to the personal level. In the same poll, 57% of Americans say their household finances are getting worse, and only 6% say they’re improving.
Looking ahead, 44% expect their household finances to worsen over the next year.
Only 47% currently rate their household financial situation as good or better, while another 47% rate it as bad, very bad, or terrible.
While political debates continue to dominate the headlines, the latest data shows Americans are mostly focused on their financial reality, and they’re not feeling optimistic.
Concerns about rising prices, stagnant wages, and a lack of confidence in future economic improvement are shaping how people view both national policy and their personal lives.
The numbers suggest many are feeling squeezed and uncertain, regardless of the political narratives playing out on TV.
IMAGE CREDIT: ”Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image adjusted for layout.