American voters have delivered a stark message to President Donald Trump in a series of new polls, urging his administration to concentrate on domestic economic woes rather than escalating international confrontations. The surveys, released over the weekend, paint a picture of a public deeply concerned about the cost of living and increasingly critical of the president's performance.
Economic Anxiety Dominates Voter Concerns
According to a Wall Street Journal poll, a majority of respondents, 57%, believe the US economy is weak. Nearly half, 49%, feel it has grown weaker during the first year of President Trump's second term. Only 35% of voters said the economy had improved in the past twelve months. The poll also found Americans feel constrained by cost-of-living pressures by a significant 12-point margin.
This sentiment is echoed in a separate CBS News poll, which found a sweeping 74% of Americans say their incomes are failing to keep pace with rising costs. This directly contradicts President Trump's repeated claims that inflation is "almost nonexistent." The economic discontent is reflected in the president's issue-based ratings, where he is 10 points in the negative on the economy and trade policy.
Foreign Policy Adventures Face Public Skepticism
The polls indicate that the public is growing weary of the president's focus on overseas interventions. The CBS poll found 53% of Americans believe Trump is too focused on events abroad. This follows a period where the president has threatened military action to seize Greenland from Denmark, escalated a campaign in the Caribbean culminating in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and suggested potential intervention in Iran.
While a slim majority approved of the raid to detain Maduro (47% support vs. 47% oppose), broader foreign policy remains a liability. The Journal's polling shows the president is 11 points in the negative on foreign policy overall, and 14 points negative specifically on his handling of Russia and Ukraine. Furthermore, 53% of respondents said the president went "too far" in threatening the governments of Colombia, Cuba, and other nations.
Regarding Iran, public opposition to military force is clear, with 67% of U.S. adults opposing such a plan according to CBS.
Plummeting Approval and Domestic Policy Failures
The president's overall standing has suffered significantly. The Wall Street Journal poll recorded Trump's disapproval rating at 54%, its highest level ever. His handling of inflation is particularly criticised, with disapproval 17 points higher than approval. Even on immigration, a traditional stronghold, the president is now 4 points in the negative.
Domestic policy missteps have contributed to this decline. The polls were conducted just before the White House released its "Great Healthcare Plan," a response to the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies. For months, Republicans, led by Trump, refused to negotiate with Democrats on extending these subsidies, leaving millions facing higher premiums. The president's lowest marks in the Journal poll came on his handling of healthcare.
The CBS poll was conducted between January 14-16, 2026, among 2,523 U.S. adults with a 2.3-point margin of error. The Journal’s poll was conducted January 8-13 among 1,500 registered voters, with a 2.5-point margin of error.
