Fresh polling data reveals growing American discontent with the cost of living crisis, with significant numbers of Republicans expressing concern that President Donald Trump is downplaying the severity of inflation as the holiday season approaches.
Polling Reveals Widespread Economic Anxiety
Two separate surveys conducted over the weekend of November 24, 2025, paint a troubling picture of economic sentiment across the United States. A CBS News/YouGov poll found that 60% of Americans believe President Trump makes prices and inflation sound better than they actually are.
The data shows a notable political divide, yet reveals surprising criticism from within Trump's own party. While 27% of respondents feel the president describes inflation accurately and 13% think he makes it sound worse, the most striking finding comes from Republican voters themselves.
Four in ten Republicans acknowledge that Trump makes affordability sound better than reality suggests. Furthermore, 25% of Republicans disapprove of his handling of inflation, while 29% report that prices have actually increased under his administration.
Grocery Prices Hit Hardest
The political consequences of the cost of living crisis became apparent earlier this month when Democrats secured significant electoral victories from California to Georgia, focusing heavily on affordability issues.
A Politico poll identified the specific costs causing most concern among Americans. The survey found that 45% cite groceries as the "most challenging" expense, followed by housing (38%), healthcare (34%), and utility bills (31%).
Among Republican respondents, 32% said the Trump administration's policies have increased their food and grocery costs, while an equal number believe those same policies have driven prices down.
Political Fallout and Unlikely Alliances
The economic discontent appears to be reshaping political alliances. The message particularly resonated with nonwhite voters, including Latino voters who had supported Trump in 2024. The CBS/YouGov survey showed that 70% of Hispanics believe Trump's policies are making food and groceries more expensive.
In a surprising development, President Trump hosted New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office on Friday. Mamdani, who secured his victory by focusing heavily on rent costs and promising free buses and universal childcare, found common ground with the president.
"We had some interesting conversation and some of his ideas really are the same ideas that I have," Trump said alongside the left-wing Democrat.
Mamdani later explained that cost of living concerns transcended traditional political boundaries, noting that many New Yorkers who voted for both him and Trump cited inflation as their primary concern.
The cost of living issue has proven effective for Democrats across the political spectrum. In New Jersey, moderate Mikie Sherrill won the governor's race by calling for a freeze on utility increases, demonstrating the broad political appeal of addressing economic pressures facing American households.
