Democrats edge Republicans on economic trust for first time in a decade

The survey, conducted between Wednesday and Monday, reveals that 37% of registered voters favor the Democratic approach to the U.S. economy, narrowly outpacing the 36% who side with Republicans. This represents a significant reversal for the GOP, which had maintained an advantage on economic management throughout Trump’s initial term and the subsequent four years under Joe Biden. A substantial 27% of respondents remain undecided or favor alternative options.

Driving this dissatisfaction are rising energy costs linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Since the U.S.-Israeli strikes in February, gasoline prices have spiked by over 25%, forcing average Americans to pay more than a dollar extra per gallon. While Trump maintains that these military actions are necessary to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities and destabilize its clerical leadership, the financial strain on households appears to be eroding his political standing. Currently, 42% of voters express a preference for Democratic congressional candidates, compared to 37% for Republicans, with independent voters favoring Democrats by a 12-point margin. Despite these figures, Trump dismissed the findings on Truth Social, claiming his actual support remains at an all-time high.